Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Crimes Against Children Unit

Katelyn Gomez (Suspect – Arrested)
DOB: 11/19/1996
Charge: Solicitation of a Child to Engage in an Act that Constitutes Sexual Battery by a Person in Familial or Custodial Authority

PINELLAS COUNTY – On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit arrested a Juvenile Justice Detention Center Sergeant for Soliciting Sexual Activity with a juvenile inmate.

Detectives responded to the Pinellas Regional Juvenile Detention Center, located at 5255 140th Avenue North in Clearwater, after approximately ten inappropriate letters were found in the bed of a sixteen-year-old male inmate. Throughout the course of the investigation, detectives learned that the letters were authored by 27-year-old Sergeant Katelyn Gomez. The letters explicitly described what would take place during their first sexual encounter and described an ongoing relationship which had developed while the victim was incarcerated. There was also a photo of Gomez in the victim’s cell.

Detectives say Gomez was hired as a Sergeant on January 5, 2024, and was assigned to the victim’s pod three weeks ago. Additionally, Gomez was instructed to not be alone with the juveniles, however staff members observed her one-on-one with the victim several times.

Detectives interviewed Gomez, who admitted to writing the letters to the victim and stated she began developing a relationship with him when they met at the facility several weeks ago. Gomez admitted that she fantasized about having a sexual relationship with the victim and planned to build a life with him once he was released. 

Gomez was arrested and charged with one count of Solicitation of a Child to Engage in an Act that Constitutes Sexual Battery by a Person in Familial or Custodial Authority. She was booked into the Pinellas County Jail.

The investigation continues.