NOGALES, Ariz., July 18, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — A fugitive wanted since 2013 in Utah County for felony rape of a child has been arrested in Nogales, Arizona, officials said Thursday.
Daniel Gomez, 30, is being held in Pima County and will be extradited back to Utah County, Utah County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Spencer Cannon told Gephardt Daily.
Court records show that Gomez was charged in the 4th District Court of Utah County with two counts of rape of a child, a first-degree felony, and one count of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony, on March 7, 2013.
An arrest warrant written by a member of the Utah County Sex Crimes Task Force said that on Feb. 14, 2013, a 14-year-old female gave birth to a child in Provo. On Feb. 20, the teen was interviewed at the Children’s Justice Center in Provo by a Division of Child and Family Services case worker.
“She disclosed that she had sex with an adult male named Daniel Gomez when she was 13 years old,” the arrest warrant said. “She disclosed she had sex with Daniel on two separate occasions at her house in Provo.”
The teen told officials Gomez’ previous address in Provo. His Utah driver’s license corroborated that address, as well as his birth date. His Facebook profile also showed his birth date. He was 23 when the interactions occurred, the arrest warrant said.
The warrant goes on to say that on Feb. 22, 2013, the teen girl stated she communicated with Gomez by way of Facebook and text messaging. Gomez asked how his daughter was doing.
“The teen asked Daniel if he is happy that he is the father of her daughter,” the arrest warrant said.
“Daniel told her that he is very happy that he is her father. She asked Daniel if he remembered when they made love. Daniel told her that he has always remembered and he loves them both.”
Investigative techniques were utilized to confirm he fathered the child, officials said.
However, officials were not able to locate Gomez as he then went to California. The charges were filed by the Utah County Attorney’s Office against Gomez. A $50,000 cash only bail was set for Gomez and extradition was authorized from any state within the United States.
Gomez will now be extradited back to Utah to face the charges against him.
