Gila River Man Found Guilty of Kidnapping and Assault of Pregnant Girlfriend

PHOENIX—Phillip Gomez, 29, of the Gila River Indian Community, was found guilty yesterday of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault with a dangerous weapon, and kidnapping by a federal jury in Phoenix.

“This was an unbelievably vicious attack on a woman who was bearing this man’s child,” said Dennis K. Burke. “Violence against native women is a top priority in my office, an intolerable reality that cannot stand in our native communities. Victims must be encouraged to speak out and we must all work together as a community to stop this violence. I also want to commend my prosecutors who worked tirelessly for justice in this case.”

The evidence at trial showed that Gomez beat, kicked, and punched his girlfriend for a period of three to four hours. He also hit the victim with a stereo speaker that he ripped from the other stereo components. During the assault, he grabbed the victim by the hair and dragged her around the home. He also forced the victim to take a shower with her clothes on to wash off the blood. Pictures from the scene showed blood on the floor, walls, bed, and clothing, as well as clumps of the victim’s hair.

The defendant’s mother came home during the assault and called the police. Gomez fled from the scene as his mother was talking to the 911 operator. The victim was taken via helicopter to the hospital. She suffered over 40 bruises to her body, some of which were 6“ x 5” wide. She also suffered three severe lacerations to her face, resulting in permanent scars to her face. When police responded, her face had been beaten so severely that both eyes were swollen shut. During the 911 call, the defendant could be heard in the background yelling the words, “She made me!”

Testimony showed that during the assault, the defendant’s brother walked in but did nothing to stop the assault. While the victim was still in the hospital recovering from her injuries, Gomez tried to call her. From the time of her hospitalization until the days before trial, he called her several times from jail telling her not to come to court. While the victim expressed some reluctance to appear in court, she ultimately elected to take the stand and provided powerful testimony.

The case was tried before United States District Court Judge Susan Bolton on May 11, and May 12, 2010. A conviction for aggravated assault carries a maximum penalty of 10 years, and a conviction for kidnapping carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. Sentencing is set before Judge Bolton on August 9, 2010, at 2:30 p.m.

The investigation leading to the guilty verdict was conducted by the Gila River Police Department and the FBI. The prosecution is being handled by Leta Hollon and Sharon Sexton, Assistant United States Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona.

CASE NUMBER: CR-09-1247-PHX-SRB
RELEASE NUMBER: 2010-094(Gomez)