Family friend lured autistic girl, 13, into sexual encounter

Las Vegas Sun - 2/13/2019

Feb. 13--Using language such as "be daring" and "don't be shy," a Las Vegas man enticed a 13-year-old child with special needs to send him explicit photos, according to the office of the U.S. attorney for the district of Nevada.

And when investigators were probing the electronic communications, the victim -- who has autism -- accused Fredy Hernandez-Gomez of sexually abusing her, officials said.

For the receipt of child pornography, Hernandez-Gomez, 32, on Tuesday was sentenced to eight years in federal prison, officials said and court records show. Earlier this year, he pleaded guilty to one count of attempted sexual assault. A Clark County judge will tack on an additional eight to 20 years when he's sentenced.

It all began during an Easter gathering in 2017. The suspect was friends with the family.

The victim told Metro Police investigators that she was crying because her bird had flown away, according to a criminal complaint. So, she innocently wanted to show the man how it'd happened.

Everyone else was outside, according to the complaint. The suspect then sexually assaulted the victim. That much he admitted.

However, that wasn't the end.

Hernandez-Gomez also verified allegations the victim had related to police about a two-month period afterward in which he requested nude photographs using the "truth or dare" game as a ploy.

When she would push back, he would send a text depicting a sad face, the complaint said. So, she would comply.

He'd also provide a clear instruction: to delete the pictures from her phone.

That August, the victim's family discovered a text conversation and contacted Metro Police.

Hernandez-Gomez admitted to investigators that he'd been "caught up" and that "one thing led to another," but that he didn't want to "hurt" the victim, the complaint said. He faces lifetime supervision after he walks out of prison.

The case was investigated by Metro and the FBI.

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