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	Mentor Accused of Sex Abuse One of the Teen Boys a Katrina Survivor By Rachel Myers The News-Press [Fort Myers FL] February 14, 2007 http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070214/NEWS01/70213082/1075 To anyone on the outside, Elantonio Gomez was a respected role model and trusted advisor for teens. He spent every Sunday morning conducting youth services at Safe Harbor Community Church in Fort Myers. He put on puppet shows, counseled them and even took in a Hurricane Katrina survivor after the boy's mother reportedly abandoned him. Monday, Gomez, 50, was arrested by Lee County sheriff's deputies, accused of repeatedly sexually abusing two teen boys, ages 13 and 15. One of the boys was a church member, and the other a Hurricane Katrina survivor who had been living with Gomez for the past 11 months. Gomez is charged with two counts of sexual battery on a victim younger than 18, and his bond has been denied. Church spokesman Steve Scott said there was no inkling of what was going on until the younger boy, who reportedly said the abuse began when he was 12, revealed the abuse to his parents Sunday night. His parents contacted church leaders, who then called authorities. "It's disturbing that the abuse occurred, but frankly, we are thankful that the younger boy came forward to protect someone else," Scott said. "What he did was extraordinary. It's tough, you know. These were great kids. They didn't — no one deserves to have this happen to them." Scott said all parents within the congregation were personally contacted Monday, informed of the allegations, urged to speak with their children and offered professional counseling. Sheriff spokesman Angelo Vaughn said detectives believe there could be more victims, although not necessarily from the church. While an arrest report indicates Gomez is a youth pastor, Scott said the suspect is not and never was ordained. But he did work closely with about 20 kids at the church since January 2003. "We did our background checks, and there was nothing other than a traffic ticket," Scott said. "His record was clean as a whistle." The abuse never took place at the church, Scott said. A report prepared by Det. Christopher Arey said it happened at Gomez's residence in Pinewood South Apartments on Cleveland Avenue. Scott said the older teen's mother was dating a co-worker at Gomez's full-time electrical job in Naples. His placement with Gomez was not arranged by the church. "The mother, I have been told, was returning to another part of the country," Scott said. "She was going to abandon the young man, and Gomez stepped in and offered to help." The 15-year-old said he had been abused three or four times each week since he moved in with Gomez. He is now staying with another family from the church. The younger teen met Gomez through the church and reported he was raped at least 10 times at Gomez's apartment over the last two years. Scott said the congregation is shocked by the allegations. "If you could have seen (Gomez's) connection with the kids, people in trouble, you would be as stunned as we are to learn what happened," he said. "He has an illness. He is human, and he needs help." Senior pastor Ken Reid was out of town conducting a funeral for a church member, but issued the following statement: "We are all deeply saddened and heartbroken over the allegations. We are committed to the well-being of those who may have been impacted. Our desire is to honor Christ in how we address the issues before us. Counseling and care is being offered to those in need. We would ask all the churches in the community to pray for us as we go through this difficult time." Gomez's next court appearance is March 19. Anyone with information regarding this case may contact the Lee County Sheriff's Office at 477-1000.
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