CLEARWATER, Fla. — A juvenile justice detention center sergeant was arrested after soliciting sexual activity with a teen inmate, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies say 10 inappropriate letters were found in a 16-year-old male inmate's bed on Wednesday at the Pinellas Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Clearwater.
Detectives say they learned that the letters came from 27-year-old Sergeant Katelyn Gomez.
According to authorities, the letters described what would take place during a potential sexual encounter, as well as an ongoing relationship that the two developed while the inmate was incarcerated. There was also reportedly a photo of Gomez in the teenager's cell.
During interviews with Gomez, she admitted to detectives she wrote the letters and told them she began a relationship with the minor when they met at the facility several weeks ago. She also confessed that she fantasized about having a sexual relationship with the teen and planned to build a life with him once he was released.
Detectives say Gomez was hired as a sergeant on Jan. 5, 2024, and was assigned to the teen's pod three weeks ago. She was reportedly instructed to not be alone with the juveniles, however, staff members found her one-on-one with him several times.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office says Gomez is charged with one count of solicitation of a child to engage in an act that constitutes sexual battery by a person in familial or custodial authority. She has since been booked into the Pinellas County Jail.
Authorities say the investigation is still ongoing.