(Lake County, FL) Earlier today, State Attorney Bill Gladson was joined by Attorney General James Uthmeier and Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri during a press conference to make an important announcement regarding a recent conviction. Last week, May 28, 2025, a jury found 31-year-old Jose Gomez, guilty of Human Trafficking of a Child for Commercial Sexual Activity and three counts of Lewd or Lascivious Battery. Judge Cary F. Rada presided over the trial and sentenced the Defendant to LIFE in prison, as required by law.

“This conviction signifies a crucial milestone in our ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking. Furthermore, it serves as a clear message: we maintain a zero-tolerance stance toward human trafficking and the exploitation of children in our community,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney.

On July 15, 2024, officers with the Eustis Police Department were dispatched to a 9-1-1 hang-up call originating from an apartment off North Prescott Street in Eustis, FL. Law enforcement attempted to call back the phone number with no success. However, shortly after, nearby officers were flagged down by a person in distress.

The person, later identified as the victim, indicated to officers that they were dropped off at an apartment to meet with the defendant, later identified as Gomez. Once inside Gomez’s residence, the victim was offered money and drugs in exchange for sex. Gomez then proceeded to sexually batter the victim, who then yelled for him to stop. After kicking the defendant, the victim was able to escape, calling 9-1-1 and eventually fleeing the apartment before flagging down the officers. The victim was transported to a hospital for medical treatment.

While on scene, officers attempted to locate Gomez, and upon sight of law enforcement, Gomez barricaded himself inside his apartment. After several hours, Gomez was apprehended by a police canine and taken into custody. During a post-Miranda interview, Gomez told officers he was approached by an individual who offered to facilitate sex acts involving the victim for money. After arrangements were made for the victim to be taken to his apartment, Gomez paid $100 to engage in sexual activity with the victim. During the interview, officers observed visible signs of a physical altercation, with scratches on his body, consistent with the victim’s statements.

Law enforcement conducted a search warrant of the Defendant’s apartment to gather evidence. Additionally, a search of the Defendant’s cell phone was conducted with the assistance of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, which led to key evidence used in the prosecution. This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Eddie Moffitt with the assistance of Victim Advocate Brittany Adkins and Assistant State Attorney Kati Cosden.

Published on 06/03/2025.