New Bedford man convicted for molesting girlfriend’s pre-teen child

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said a New Bedford man was convicted last week for molesting his girlfriend’s pre-teen daughter.

Authorities said 59-year-old John Gomez was convicted of indecent assault and battery on a person under the age of 14.

Court documents said the victim told Department of Children and Families 51A officials in a 2019 interview that Gomez touched her inappropriately.

She told officials that Gomez started playing with her and her younger brother. He later laid down next to her on the couch and proceeded to touch her inappropriately.

Records further state the victim said Gomez touched her for several minutes but stopped abruptly after her mother woke up.

Gomez was sentenced to two-an-a-half years in the Bristol County House of Corrections with 18 months to serve and the balance suspended for five years.

Documents state if he is charged with new crimes in the next five years, he will be liable to serve another sentence.