State attorney, Florida AG push for immigration enforcement, closed border policies
The Brief
State Attorney Bill Gladson and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier hosted a news conference on Tuesday morning at the Lake County Courthouse in Tavares.
The law leaders discussed the case of an undocumented immigrant who was sentenced to life in prison for human trafficking, among other charges, in a case stemming from a 2024 investigation in Eustis, Florida.
The leaders emphasized the importance of immigration enforcement and closed border policies.
TAVARES, Fla. - State Attorney Bill Gladson and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier hosted a news conference on Tuesday to discuss the sentencing of an undocumented immigrant who was convicted to life in prison for human trafficking, among other charges, following a 2024 investigation in Eustis involving a minor.
The backstory
On July 15, 2024, law enforcement responded to a 911 hang-up call at an apartment complex in Eustis.
Officers said a young woman approached them in tears, reporting that a man was trying to shoot her. She said she had met the unidentified man at a nearby market and was at his home when he began using methamphetamine.
Although the woman said she declined the drugs and alcohol offered to her, she drank water provided by the man and soon felt sick. She described attempts by the man to rape her, during which she said he pinned her down and threatened her.
Visible signs of distress, including blood on her leg, led officers to investigate the incident further. Authorities said that evidence later confirmed she had been raped.
Officers later identified the man as Jose Gomez and found he was an undocumented immigrant from Mexico who overstayed his visa. Investigators said the seasonal work visa expired four years ago.
Gomez was convicted of human trafficking of a child under 18, as well as three counts of lewd and lascivious battery of a child under 16. He was sentenced to life in prison for human trafficking and 27.45 years for each count of battery.
Authorities said the investigation is currently still active.
What they're saying
Gladson and Uthmeier were joined by Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri at the news conference, which took place on Tuesday morning at the Lake County Courthouse at 550 W. Main St. in Tavares.
Uthmeier said the tragic event happened because of the current open-border policies in the United States.
The attorney general said Florida is leading the way in enforcement by detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants in the thousands.
"These are horrific, grotesque events that keep happening," he said. "That prison cell will be far too nice of a place for this individual. This monster should not have been in this country. He should not have been here. This crime should not have occurred. This victim should not have had to go through this terrible tragedy."
Uthmeier said the issue is not left versus right or Republicans versus Democrats.
"This is rule of law," he said. "It is protecting our kids from these tragic situations. How many people have to be victimized like this before everyone will get together and realize that if we are going to be a sovereign country, if we are going to protect our families and our kids, we must have rule of law, a secure border and ensure that people are here legally."
Gladson said the state has a zero tolerance for human trafficking.
"If you are here unlawfully in the United States, there are worse things than just getting deported," Gladson said. "If you commit a serious crime, you are going to go to prison first."
Capri spoke about the importance of parents being involved in their children's lives and the power of teamwork through the involved agencies to obtain maximum sentencing and prevent other potential victims from being targeted.
"This was a horrific event involving a juvenile," Capri said. "We need to protect our kids from these barbaric, savage animals. These aren't just stories, these are tragedies."
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The Source
This story was written based on information shared by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier in a news release and in a news conference on June 3, 2025.
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