A former Springfield Township sheriff’s deputy faces 20 criminal charges in connection with his alleged involvement with Internet child pornography.
John Gomez, 43, of Waterford was arraigned Friday, Jan. 16 on two 10-count warrants before 51st District Judge Richard D. Kuhn Jr. His preliminary exam, originally scheduled Tuesday, has been rescheduled for March 5, according to Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor Matt Roth.
The formal charges followed Gomez? Jan. 2 resignation from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department. That resignation came several days after Waterford police executed a search warrant and confiscated personal computer equipment from his home.
Sgt. Barry Hague confirmed earlier reports that ‘thousands? of images of child pornography were in Gomez? possession. Waterford police responded to a notification from California investigators who traced the exchange of pornographic images to and from California, New York and other locations, including Gomez? home.
The first warrant included five counts of ‘Child Sexually Abusive Activity ? Distributing and Promoting? and five counts of ‘Computers ? Using to Commit a Crime.?
The second warrant included five counts of ‘Child Sexually Abusive Material ? Possession? and five counts of ‘Computers ? Using to Commit a Crime.?
All are felony counts with potential penalties of four or seven years in prison. After the arraignment, Gomez was released on total bond of $50,000.
Hague said police and prosecutors are taking the case seriously.
‘It’s something we don’t want in society, and it’s something we don’t want in law enforcement,? he said. ‘It’s shocking, but if you violate the law, you violate the law.?
Attorney Jerome Sabbota is representing Gomez, and said people need to remember a fundamental in American justice.
‘Mr. Gomez is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and he will use every legal means to resolve the case,? Sabbota said.
Will Gomez get a fair hearing? ‘There’s a challenge in representing anyone in a criminal case,? Sabbota said. ‘Law enforcement officers are a little more difficult because judges hold them to a higher level of accountability.?
Gomez said Monday he had not completed the entire process of discovery, but he said the burden is really on the prosecutors.
‘It’s easy to lodge charges,? he said. ‘Then you have to prove them.?
A 17-year veteran of the sheriff’s department, Gomez had worked out of the Springfield Township substation about a year. He was suspended after the Waterford police search of his home, and officials said there was no evidence of improper use of the sheriff substation computers.