Oscar Reynaldo Gomez, Arson, Oklahoma 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – A 54-year-old Oklahoma City man is accused of deliberately setting fire to the God of No Limits Church on South Walker Avenue, leaving the building with substantial roof damage. Oscar Reynaldo Gomez now faces the full weight of federal arson charges, following an investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).

The Oklahoma City Fire Department responded to the blaze in the early morning hours of April 17, 2023, finding flames engulfing a portion of the church. The damage was immediately deemed significant, prompting a joint investigation with the ATF’s National Response Team. Detectives quickly zeroed in on Gomez as the prime suspect, leading to his arrest and subsequent charges.

According to a criminal complaint unsealed yesterday, Gomez is charged with one count of arson. The affidavit supporting the charges details how investigators connected Gomez to the fire. Specific details of the motive remain sealed, but authorities have confirmed Gomez acted alone in the commission of this crime. He made his initial appearance in federal court yesterday, where a judge ordered him detained pending further legal proceedings.

If convicted of arson, Gomez is looking at a minimum of five years and a maximum of twenty years behind federal bars. Beyond incarceration, he could face three years of supervised release following his prison term, and a hefty fine of $250,000. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stanley J. West.

U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester announced the charges, emphasizing the seriousness of the offense. The ATF and Oklahoma City Fire Department worked in tandem to bring Gomez to justice. The investigation is ongoing, though Gomez is currently the only suspect identified in connection with the arson.

It’s crucial to remember that these are merely allegations at this stage. Gomez is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. However, the evidence presented thus far paints a damning picture, and federal prosecutors appear determined to secure a conviction. The God of No Limits Church community is left to pick up the pieces, while Gomez awaits his fate.

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