Bus driver faces trial in sexual assault case

Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2002 | 8:57 a.m.

A Citizens Area Transit bus driver will be arraigned Feb. 27 on a sexual assault charge in an alleged attack of a mentally handicapped woman.

Justice of the Peace Douglas Smith ruled Monday Antonio Gomez, 25, will stand trial on charges of stopping along his route in October and sexually assaulting an Opportunity Village client who has the mental faculties of a 5-year-old.

An employee of the group home where the woman lives testified Monday that she became suspicious of Gomez when he dropped the bleeding woman off on Oct. 16.

A hospital examination revealed signs of a possible sexual assault, and the woman eventually told police in childlike terms that Gomez had sexually assaulted her.

Gomez denied touching the woman, then later said he did so at her behest.

Defense attorneys told Smith the state failed to show that the 24-year-old woman had sex against her will or was incapable of giving consent.

Smith said he would leave the issue of the woman's ability to consent up to a jury.

Gomez, who is on leave from the bus company, remains free on $50,000 bail.