Contra Costa Judge Sentences Benicia Man For Child Exploitation Crimes

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A Benicia man was sentenced Tuesday in Contra Costa Superior Court in Martinez for multiple child exploitation crimes.

William Micheal Gogas, 34, was remanded into custody by Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Mary Ann O’Malley to serve one year in county jail. He is also required to register as a lifetime sex offender and serve two years of probation.

After a one-week jury trial in May, a Contra Costa County jury convicted Gogas of arranging to meet a minor for sex and unlawfully communicating with a minor. At the trial, evidence was presented that demonstrated — on or about Dec. 9, 2021 — Gogas knowingly engaged in sexually explicit text messages with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old boy — but was an undercover detective with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.

The evidence further established Gogas arranged to meet the minor at a location in Martinez to engage in illegal sex acts. When Gogas arrived at the meeting location, he was taken into custody by members of the Contra Costa County Safe Streets Task Force and charged in a criminal complaint on Dec. 13, 2021.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Chris Sansoe and investigated by the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Brentwood, Pittsburg, San Ramon, Danville, Oakley, and Moraga police departments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, participate on the task force.

The DA's Office encouraged parents to discuss online safety with their children and visit the website kidsmartz.org, commonsensemedia.org or the District Attorney’s website for further information.