Guatemalan Man Indicted for Traveling to New Jersey to Kidnap Minor

Sergio Gomez Faces Federal Charges for Enticement, Transportation, and Kidnapping of a Minor

NEW JERSEY – A Guatemalan man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for traveling to Cape May County, New Jersey, with the intent to kidnap a minor. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced that Sergio Gomez, also known as “Abner Abigail Chub-Choc,” 22, made his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew J. Skahill in Camden federal court and has been detained. Gomez was indicted on July 17, 2024, on multiple charges including enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, transportation of a minor to engage in sexual activity, and kidnapping.

Indictment Details

According to the indictment:

• Gomez used the internet and a cellphone to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity.
• On July 30, 2023, Gomez traveled to Cape May County, New Jersey, where he kidnapped the minor and transported them to Georgia with the intent to engage in sexual activity.
• The FBI recovered the minor in Georgia on August 3, 2023.

Potential Penalties

• Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity: Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
• Transportation of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity: Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
• Kidnapping: Maximum sentence of life in prison.

Each count also carries a maximum fine of $250,000.

Investigation and Acknowledgments

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, for their investigative work. He also acknowledged the assistance of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Middle Township Police Department, FBI Atlanta office, and the Cherokee County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office.

The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn R. Waegener of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.

The charges in the indictment are merely accusations, and Sergio Gomez is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case highlights the importance of cross-agency collaboration in addressing crimes involving minors and ensuring justice is served.