After more than six months in custody, the Hanford volunteer firefighter charged in three felony counts of arson was sentenced to 14 years in prison late Tuesday morning. Justin Ryan Gomez, 22, appeared before family and friends clad in a yellow Kings County Jail jumpsuit, where he pleaded to the court for leniency.

"I would like to apologize," Gomez said, as he and several members of the audience began to cry. "I have nightmares day and night about going to prison and so does my family. I robbed my fiancee of her wedding night. I am sorry for my actions and I am scared to death of prison."

Gomez went on to say that, if given a second chance, he would like to become a marine biologist, as being a firefighter "was not for [him]."

Defense Attorney Christopher Martens argued that Gomez lacked a criminal record prior to these incidents and that his medical history of major depression should be considered as mitigating factors in this case.

Presiding Judge James LaPorte had few words for the defendant as he passed sentence, indicating that Gomez used his firefighter training to help set the fires. He also said that the medical report filed among court documents stated that Gomez's actions were committed "independent" of his depression.

The sentence of 14 years was just shy of the maximum possible sentence of 15 years and eight months, Prosecutor Adam Nelson said after proceedings.

Gomez pleaded guilty to three felony counts of arson, one count of possessing a combustible material with intent to set a fire and two special enhancement charges during the middle of his late August jury trial, according to law enforcement officials. Sources say that the defense tried to have Gomez's statements made during the time of his arrest suppressed from the case, but the judge ruled against it, prompting the change of plea.

Gomez was arrested in March after setting fire to three vacant homes in new subdivisions on the outskirts of the city. Police investigators said that after setting the fires, Gomez was showing up to help fight them along with other volunteers.

He was later apprehended when investigators set up surveillance at several new housing developments and caught the former volunteer entering the area of Freeston Drive and 12th Avenue in a van containing evidence that linked him to the crimes.

Prior to his arrest, Gomez was a three-year veteran with the Hanford Fire Department's volunteers.

"He was a good volunteer," Assistant Fire Chief Bill Lynch said on the day of the arrest. "We are at a loss to explain what would make a person do this."

The reporter can be reached at 583-2425.

(Oct. 8, 2008)