I can say with confidence that getting groped in public is a horrible experience. It’s happened to me twice, and each time I felt so unbelievably violated. Sadly, the experience isn’t a unique one; a report from Tulane University stated that out of 3,300 US adults older than 18, 82% of women and nearly half of all men (42%) have experience sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime. What’s worse is that not even children are safe from this heinous act, and sadly, three young kids in Long Island allegedly experienced it at the hands of a 44-year-old man.
Jimmy Harry Velasquez Gomez allegedly touched a 9-year-old girl inside a Medford TJ Maxx and was “busted” three days later, according to the New York Post. Detectives revealed this was just the most recent encounter he was accused of, News 12 reported. Gomez allegedly groped a 7-year-old in April in the store and an 11-year-old girl in September as well. According to the Suffolk County Police Department, he was charged with three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Locals were outraged that this happened in their community and especially disturbed it happened three times.
“So after the first girl no one said let me keep an eye out for this predator. They have facial recognition for thieves but not pedos,” questioned one follower in the comments section of the Suffolk County Police Department’s post on Facebook.
“How was he still standing after the first time,” asked another commenter on the post.
“I have seen this guy around and he has definitely creeped me out. I don’t get spooked very often but he gives off bad vibes,” claimed another person.
He maintains his innocence, however, and stated via his lawyer that this is all a misunderstanding.
“He claims that he was just passing by in the aisle and brushed along,” attorney Joseph Hanshe shared in a statement obtained by the Post. “He said he didn’t do anything wrong.”
He is being held at Suffolk County’s third precinct an a $50,000 bail but may see more felony charges coming.
Anyone who believes they could have been a victim of Gomez should call the Suffolk County Police Department Special Victims Section at 631-852-6184.
