A 44-year-old maintenance worker faces multiple charges after allegedly groping three young girls in separate incidents at the same Long Island department store over several months. The suspect's attorney maintains the encounters were accidental contact while passing through store aisles.

Jimmy Harry Velasquez Gomez was arrested following the most recent alleged incident involving a 9-year-old girl at a Medford T.J. Maxx last Wednesday evening. According to the New York Post, Suffolk County detectives connected Gomez to two previous incidents at the same store involving a 7-year-old in April and an 11-year-old in September.

Gomez, who legally immigrated from Honduras and has lived in Suffolk County for approximately nine years, now faces six total charges. He has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree sexual abuse and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, with prosecutors indicating additional felony charges may follow.

Pattern of Alleged Incidents

Suffolk County detectives identified a troubling pattern of behavior spanning several months at the Medford T.J. Maxx location. The first alleged incident occurred in April when Gomez reportedly groped a 7-year-old girl inside the store. Investigators believe this was followed by a second incident in September involving an 11-year-old victim at the same retail location.

The most recent alleged assault took place last Wednesday evening when a 9-year-old girl was reportedly touched inappropriately while shopping with her family. Police arrested Gomez three days later after connecting him to all three incidents through their investigation. The consistency of the location and the similar nature of the alleged crimes helped detectives establish the pattern.

Authorities have not disclosed specific details about how they identified Gomez as the suspect in each case. The investigation appears to have involved reviewing store security footage and witness statements from multiple incidents. The fact that all three alleged crimes occurred at the same T.J. Maxx store suggests the suspect may have deliberately targeted this location.

Defense Claims Accidental Contact

Defense attorney Joseph Hanshe presented a drastically different version of events, characterizing the encounters as innocent accidents. "He claims that he was just passing by in the aisle and brushed along," Hanshe said in a statement defending his client. The lawyer emphasized that Gomez maintains he "didn't do anything wrong" in any of the alleged incidents.

The defense strategy appears to focus on the crowded nature of retail environments where accidental contact might occur. Hanshe's statement suggests the defense will argue that normal shopping activities in narrow store aisles could result in unintentional physical contact. This explanation attempts to provide an innocent explanation for what prosecutors allege were deliberate criminal acts.

The stark contrast between the prosecution's allegations and the defense's claims sets up a significant courtroom battle. While police describe a pattern of intentional criminal behavior targeting young children, the defense maintains these were merely accidental encounters. The resolution of this case will likely depend on physical evidence, witness testimony, and potentially security camera footage from the store.

Suspect Background and Immigration Status

Gomez works as a maintenance worker and has established a life in Suffolk County over nearly a decade since immigrating from Honduras. Authorities confirmed he entered the United States legally, though his current immigration status remains unclear following his arrest. His nearly nine-year residence in the area suggests he had integrated into the local community before these allegations emerged.

The suspect's background as a maintenance worker may be relevant to the case, as such employment often involves moving through various locations and potentially coming into contact with the public. His long-term residence in Suffolk County indicates he was familiar with the local area and the specific T.J. Maxx location where all three incidents allegedly occurred. Immigration authorities have not indicated whether the criminal charges will affect his legal status.

Gomez's established presence in the community makes the allegations particularly concerning for local families. Parents shopping at the Medford T.J. Maxx may have encountered him previously without incident, making it difficult to identify potential warning signs.

Lessons to Learn

1. Stay alert in public spaces: Even everyday locations like stores can be the setting for criminal acts. Parents must supervise their children when shopping, and everyone to be aware of their surroundings.

2. Report inappropriate contact immediately: Whether you're a victim or a witness, speaking up can help police identify suspicious patterns and protect others. In this case, early reporting allowed investigators to connect multiple complaints to the same individual.

3. Understand that victims are never to blame: No matter the precautions taken, anyone can be the target of a crime. These incidents emphasize the importance of community vigilance, not victim shaming. Protecting children is a shared responsibility.

Why This Story Matters

This disturbing case raises serious questions about safety in public spaces where families shop and children are present. The fact that three alleged assaults occurred in the same store over several months highlights the need for stronger security and reporting channels. Community awareness is key to identifying patterns of abuse early and supporting victims who come forward.

Jimmy Harry Velasquez Gomez, a 44-year-old maintenance worker from Medford, Long Island, is accused of groping three young girls in separate incidents that occurred between April and October inside a local T.J. Maxx. The latest alleged assault took place last Wednesday and involved a 9-year-old girl. Police linked Gomez to two earlier incidents involving a 7-year-old and an 11-year-old victim. His attorney claims the contact was accidental, but Gomez now faces three counts each of sexual abuse and endangering a child’s welfare. He remains in custody on $50,000 bail as prosecutors consider additional charges.