Honduran Man Indicted for Molesting Girls at TJ Maxx

In a troubling series of events at a TJ Maxx store on Long Island, a 44-year-old man from Honduras, named Jimmy Harry Velasquez Gomez, has been charged with multiple counts of child molestation. According to police, he was seen on surveillance video groping three girls, aged between 7 and 11, during separate incidents spanning several months.

The Suffolk District Attorney, Ray Tierney, remarked on the distressing nature of the charges, highlighting how such acts undermine community safety.

Authorities revealed that the incidents occurred from April to October, with each girl being momentarily away from her parents while exploring the toy section. It began on April 19 when a 7-year-old girl and her mother reported that Gomez approached her in a hallway, touched her, and fled when the girl informed her mother.

Fast forward to September 20, another girl, aged 11, recounted a similar experience, saying Gomez had reached out to her as she walked past. Then, on October 29, Gomez reportedly approached a 9-year-old, following her across the store before engaging in inappropriate behavior while she was distracted.

Defense attorney Joseph Hansche contended that Gomez was merely “rushed” while navigating the store and did not mean any harm.

However, surveillance footage from these incidents seems to contradict this defense, suggesting Gomez may have acted purposefully. He was arrested on November 14, facing charges of first- and second-degree sexual abuse, along with endangering a child’s welfare.

Currently, he is being held on bail set at $3.5 million, and there has been no comment from his lawyer regarding the allegations.