WHITLEY COUNTY – A South Whitley man is facing sexual battery charges after allegedly touching an underage coworker at a local eatery.
Samuel Gomez, 49, of 706 S. State St., South Whitley, was booked in the Whitley County Jail at 3:40 p.m. Tuesday and faces a Level 6 felony charge for sexual battery; and four counts of simple assault battery, Class B misdemeanors.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed Tuesday in Whitley Superior Court, on July 29 police interviewed a juvenile employee at the eatery who said they were uncomfortable with their boss, Gomez.
The victim told police that Gomez would give the victim hugs that included touching the victim’s buttocks and rubbing. One incident involved Gomez asking the victim to sit on his lap, where Gomez then allegedly rubbed the victim outside of the victim’s clothing. When Gomez asked the victim if they were upset, according to the affidavit, the victim said no. Gomez then allegedly pointed to his cheek and made the victim kiss him on the cheek before he gave the victim a ride home.
According to court papers, when police spoke with Gomez about the situation, Gomez admitted that he hugged and touched the victim but denied any rubbing. Gomez further told police, according to the affidavit, that “he knew it wasn’t right” and “he feels so bad and he has never done this before.”
Gomez bonded out of jail 35 minutes after he was booked in, and a no-contact order was issued.
