Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking to take custody of Jimmy Harry Velasquez Gomez, a Honduran man accused of sexually abusing young girls at a TJ Maxx store in Medford, New York. Velasquez Gomez, who has been deported twice from the United States, now faces serious charges after allegedly groping girls as young as seven.
According to local police, the incidents happened on three occasions inside the store. One seven-year-old girl was reportedly touched without consent while standing in the toy aisle. An eleven-year-old girl saw Velasquez Gomez exposing himself before he allegedly grabbed her inappropriately. Another nine-year-old girl was said to have been molested after the suspect lifted her sweatshirt and touched her.
Authorities describe these acts as deeply disturbing and have called Velasquez Gomez a serial child molester. ICE confirmed that they placed a detainer on him after his recent arrest to prevent him from being released back into the community.
Velasquez Gomez first entered the U.S. illegally in 2005 but was deported shortly after. He crossed the border again in 2019 and was deported once more. Officials say he crossed illegally a third time, though details about this entry remain unclear.
The Department of Homeland Security emphasized their commitment to keeping child predators off the streets. ICE’s move to hold Velasquez Gomez reflects an effort to protect vulnerable children and ensure such crimes do not continue.
This case highlights ongoing challenges around illegal border crossings and criminal behavior by some individuals who reenter the country after being removed. Local authorities remain focused on bringing justice for the victims and preventing further harm.
