Port Hueneme Man Sentenced to 22 Years in State Prison for Child Molestation, Weapon, and Drug Convictions

VENTURA, Calif. — A 40-year-old Port Hueneme man has been sentenced to more than two decades in state prison following a multi-year investigation into repeated child sexual abuse, unlawful firearm transfer, and narcotics trafficking, county prosecutors announced.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko confirmed that Mathew Gomez (DOB 05/21/86) was sentenced on July 15, 2026, to serve 22 years in California state prison. The formal sentencing comes one month after Gomez entered a guilty plea in Ventura County Superior Court to a slate of severe felony charges stemming from systemic abuse against a minor victim and illegal contraband recovered during his arrest.

Gomez previously pled guilty on June 15, 2026, to three felony counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child (Penal Code 288(b)(1)), one felony count of unlawful transfer of a firearm (Penal Code 27545), and one felony count of possession for sale of a controlled substance (Health and Safety Code 11351). Additionally, as part of his plea agreement, Gomez admitted to a special aggravating factor allegation under California Rules of Court 4.421(a)(3), formally acknowledging that the minor victim was particularly vulnerable.

Repeated Abuse Uncovered Across Multiple Ventura County Communities

According to court filings and investigative records released by the District Attorney’s Office, the abuse occurred over a two-year period spanning from April 2021 through May 2023. During this timeframe, Gomez sexually assaulted the minor victim dozens of times.

Law enforcement investigators detailed that the incidents took place across two separate residential locations within Ventura County: a home that Gomez shared with the victim in Moorpark and a secondary residence where Gomez resided in Port Hueneme.

The prolonged pattern of abuse was brought to an end after the victim took steps to disclose the ongoing assaults to a trusted adult. Law enforcement authorities were immediately notified, triggering a priority multi-agency investigation led by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies tracked down Gomez, successfully locating and taking him into custody without incident.

Vehicle Search Yields Unregistered Firearm and Controlled Substances

Following Gomez's arrest, Ventura County Sheriff's deputies executed a search of his personal vehicle. The search yielded evidence pointing to substantial illegal drug sales and weapons violations alongside the sexual assault allegations.

Inside the suspect's vehicle, deputies discovered a significant quantity of controlled substances packaged for sale, along with narcotics paraphernalia. Furthermore, officers seized an unregistered semi-automatic handgun outfitted with a high-capacity magazine, leading to the additional weapon and drug trafficking charges prosecuted concurrently with the child abuse counts.

Prosecutors Commend Victim’s Bravery and Highlight Judicial Accountability

The complex criminal case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Morgan Luna, a veteran prosecutor assigned to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit.

Following the judicial proceeding, DDA Luna praised the young victim's strength in stepping forward to report the crimes, noting that her actions prevented further harm and ensured a significant prison sentence:

"The courage it took for this victim to come forward ended years of abuse and ensured the defendant would be held accountable," Ms. Luna stated in an official release. "This sentence reflects the seriousness of these crimes and our commitment to protecting children and seeking justice for survivors."

Child Victim Advocacy and Reporting Resources

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit works in close partnership with specialized victim advocate organizations and law enforcement agencies across the region to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse throughout the judicial process.

Justice officials emphasize that child safety relies heavily on community awareness and early intervention. Local authorities urge anyone who suspects a child is suffering from abuse or neglect to contact local law enforcement or the Ventura County Child Family Services Child Abuse Hotline at (805) 654-3200 or (800) 782-7400.

Sources

• Ventura County District Attorney's Office Official Press Release (Release No. 26-095)