Sergeant Taken Into Custody For Writing Inappropriate Letters To 16-Year-Old Inmate At Juvenile Facility

27-year-old Katelyn Gomez, a sergeant with the Pinellas Regional Juvenile Detention Center, is said to have written several inappropriate letters to a teen inmate being held at the center.

Gomez, who has now been terminated, was apprehended on one count of solicitation of a child to engage in an act that constitutes sexual battery by a person in familial or custodial authority. On Wednesday, she was placed in the Pinellas County Jail.

Investigators went to the Juvenile Detention Center on 140th Avenue North in Clearwater, Florida, following 10 inappropriate letters being discovered in the 16-year-old inmate’s bed. As they were investigating, authorities determined that the letters were written by Gomez.

The letters discussed what occurred the first time that they had a sexual encounter and went on to talk about the ongoing relationship they were having as the teen was locked up. There was also a picture of Gomez in the teen’s cell.

On Jan. 5, Gomez was hired as a sergeant and oversaw the teen’s pod three weeks before. She was instructed not to be by herself with the minors that were incarcerated. However, several employees had seen her by herself with the 16-year-old on several occasions, deputies say.

Gomez confessed to writing the letters and disclosed to authorities that she began a relationship with the teen when they first met at the juvenile center.

Authorities say that she also confessed to constantly thinking about a sexual relationship with him and had believed that they would start a life together when he was released from the facility.

An investigation is continuing.