Man gets six years for violent threats

BY SIGNAL TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 21, 20152 MINUTE READ

Joseph Christo Gomez of Long Beach has received the maximum sentence— six years in jail— for misdemeanor domestic violence against his former girlfriend, threats to kill her, resisting arrest and battery on a police officer responding to the altercation, according to Randall Fudge, assistant city prosecutor.

Long Beach City Prosecutor Douglas Haubert praised the conviction, stating, “This is a fair and appropriate sentence. The defendant proved he is dangerous and would continue to act out violently if he was not incarcerated. The judge got it right.”

On Sept. 10, Long Beach Superior Court Judge Daniel Lowenthal sentenced Gomez, 27, to the maximum term after he was found guilty on all charges. The crimes occurred on three separate occasions from January through June of 2015. Since Gomez was on probation for a battery conviction in 2012, Lowenthal ordered an additional 173 days in jail— the maximum remaining time for the probation violation, extending the total sentence almost six months.

During the trial, the court heard evidence that Gomez held the victim’s jaw shut, pinned her against a car door in the presence of their young children and repeatedly violated a restraining order requiring him to stay away from the victim. After calling her and threatening to kill her, Gomez went to the victim’s house at 2am and attempted to enter. When Long Beach police officers responded, Gomez refused to follow their instructions and struck one officer before he was taken into custody. Gomez told officers he had a gun, but no firearm was found.

“The defendant caused the victim to be in extreme fear for her safety and the safety of their children,” said Long Beach Deputy City Prosecutor Pooja Kumar, who handled the bench trial and sentencing. “We are pleased with the outcome and hope this will end the nightmare she has been living.”