A man accused of committing a lewd act on a child under 14 will be allowed to return periodically to the same town as his victim(s), but only under the watchful eye of another family member.
Rafael Gomez Gomez, 80, of Williams, was released from jail on his own recognizance on May 3, but on the condition he stay away from Colusa County – except for ordered contact with the probation department.
The District Attorneys Office charged Gomez with a single felony count of lewd act with a child, although multiple victims are alleged, officials said.
Gomez has been living with his daughter in Sutter County since his release to comply with Judge Jeffrey A. Thompsons previous stay-away order, but Gomez private attorney Roberto Marquez asked the judge on July 12 to amend his order to allow Gomez to stay with his son in Williams during the day.
Marquez said by allowing the duties of Gomez care to be split, the daughter would have some respite from caring for an elderly man with dementia, who he said is something of a ” handful.
Thompson granted the request on the condition that Gomez remain at his sons home and only leave when he travels between the two residences.
Gomez will not be allowed to travel about or run errands with family members, Thompson ordered.
Gomez is also to return at night to the home of his daughter in Meridian.
Williams Police officers arrested Gomez around 11 PM on April 26. He is facing up to eight years in state prison if convicted, or up to 15 years if convicted of having multiple victims.
A preliminary hearing has been set in the case for Sept. 9.
Meanwhile, the Judge has ordered Gomez to obey all laws, abstain from alcohol use, and to submit to alcohol testing. He is also not allowed to leave California. –