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	Youth Church Worker Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse News-Press August 29, 2007 http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070829/NEWS0110/70829040/1075 A Fort Myers youth church worker arrested in February for sexually abusing three boys hesitantly pleaded guilty to the charges today and he will spend the next 20 years in prison. Elantonio Gomez, 51, of Cape Coral will be labeled a sexual predator and will have to spend 10 years on probation after serving his term. Last Monday, Gomez asked Lee Circuit Judge Joseph Simpson for a week to tell family members he would be pleading guilty to the charges so they didn't find out in the media. This morning, Gomez was ready to plead to the charges, but had a change of heart. "At this time, he does not wish to accept the plea," Gomez's attorney, Assistant Public Defender Katheryn Smith said. Assistant State Attorney Francine Donnorummo then told Gomez she would be making no other offers — 20 years is 40 years less than the maximum sentence. She said she would be adding a charge of possession of child pornography, which was found on his computer, if he chose to go to trial. Gomez then took time to speak with his attorney and accepted the plea. "My whole life is in the balance," he told the judge, which caused victims and supporters to gasp. "I know the people behind me are hurt. Just pull out the paper, let's get it over with." When he turned to members in the crowd, some gasped again and began crying. Deputies made Gomez face the judge. "I don't want to put the families through any more," he said. "I'll take my just penalty." Gomez had previously spent Sunday mornings conducting youth services at Safe Harbor Community Church in Fort Myers. He also took in a Hurricane Katrina survivor after the boy's mother reportedly abandoned him. Gomez was originally charged with two sex crimes and a third victim came forward a week later in February. The charges stemmed from activity going back as far as 2002. All the boys were older than 12 and younger than 18. Gomez was charged with one count each of sexual activity with a child, lewd and lascivious battery and lewd and lascivious molestation.
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