Posted on: Friday, February 4, 2005

Ex-police recruit is guilty of abuse

By Ken Kobayashi
Advertiser Courts Writer

A former Honolulu police recruit was found guilty yesterday of terrorizing his wife with a semi-automatic handgun, a conviction that carries a mandatory five-year prison term without parole.

Ernie Gomez, 27, was also convicted of abusing his wife, Sherly Gomez, 24, at their 'Ewa Beach home May 30 last year as graduation loomed for Gomez and his recruit class. He later resigned.

Circuit Judge Michael Town scheduled sentencing for April 19. Gomez faces the mandatory prison term based on his use of the gun.

Gomez, who is in the Army National Guard, was permitted by the judge to remain free on his $75,000 bail pending sentencing.

At trial, Sherly Gomez testified that her husband became enraged after she kissed a friend on the cheek. She said he threatened her with a knife and a gun. Ernie Gomez did not testify, but his defense was that he never used either weapon.

The jury deliberated for more than two days before finding Gomez guilty on the two counts, but was unable to reach verdicts on five other charges. Those counts involved the knife and threatening the man the wife kissed.

Town declared a mistrial on those charges. City Deputy Prosecutor Maurice Arrisgado indicated he may not pursue a retrial in view of the conviction that carries the mandatory prison term.

Reach Ken Kobayashi at kkobayashi@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8030.