BOISE — A candidate running for Idaho’s 1st Congressional District has pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing child pornography, according to Ada County court records, a development that raises legal and political questions as his name remains on the ballot for the November election.
Criminal charges, plea deal and next steps
Brendan Gomez, 27, a member of the Constitution Party, entered the plea in Ada County after being charged in July with 10 felony counts of possession of child sexually exploitative material. Court records show Gomez agreed to plead guilty to two counts in exchange for the remaining eight counts being dismissed.
Gomez was arrested by the Ada County Sheriff’s Office in July and is being held in the Ada County Jail on a $500,000 bond. According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by the sheriff’s office, investigators learned of the alleged material from a cybertip provided by a cloud storage company.
"[A search warrant] revealed hundreds of child sexual abuse material-related content on Gomez' device."
Gomez’s sentencing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Nov. 16. Under Idaho law, each count carries a possible maximum sentence of 10 years, meaning Gomez could face as much as 20 years in prison on the two counts to which he pleaded guilty. As part of the plea deal, the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office is expected to recommend at least three years in prison, with an additional 12 years that could be served in prison, on parole or both.
Election implications
The plea comes as Gomez is a declared candidate in the race for Idaho’s 1st Congressional District. The district’s ballot also features incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher, Democrat Kaylee Peterson and Independent Sarah Zabel. Court filings indicate that, despite the criminal case and the plea agreement, Gomez’s name remains on the ballot for this year’s election.
The situation places voters and election officials in a position to weigh legal developments that are unfolding alongside the campaign season. Ballot rules generally do not allow for the removal of a candidate’s name after certain deadlines, even if criminal proceedings are pending or completed, unless specific statutory criteria are met.
Investigation details and procedural notes
According to the affidavit, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Gomez’s devices after receiving a cybertip from a cloud storage provider indicating that a user was in possession of child pornography. The subsequent search allegedly turned up "hundreds" of images related to child sexual abuse material.
Gomez faces sentencing later this year. The Ada County Prosecutor’s Office’s expected recommendation and the court’s final sentencing decision will determine whether he serves time in prison and, if so, how long. The initial arrest followed standard investigative steps for online exploitation cases: a third-party notification, law enforcement follow-up and a judicially authorized search.
Public safety and community response
Crimes involving child sexual abuse material typically prompt coordinated responses from local prosecutors, law enforcement and victim services; the records in this case reflect that pattern. The Ada County Sheriff’s Office opened the investigation after receiving the cybertip, and the prosecutor’s office negotiated the plea agreement.
- Defendant: Brendan Gomez, 27, Constitution Party
- Charges filed: 10 felony counts of possession of child sexually exploitative material
- Plea: Guilty to two counts; eight charges dropped
- Bond: $500,000
- Sentencing: 8:30 a.m., Nov. 16
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Maximum possible sentence | Up to 20 years (10 years per count) |
| Prosecutor's expected recommendation | At least 3 years in prison, plus up to 12 additional years (prison, parole or both) |
The case remains an active criminal matter. The Ada County Sheriff’s Office and Ada County Prosecutor’s Office provided the documents contained in the court record. No additional statements from Gomez, his campaign, or the other candidates were included in the court filings obtained by the Idaho Statesman.
What to watch next
Key developments to follow include the Nov. 16 sentencing hearing and any formal statements or legal filings that might affect Gomez’s ballot status. For voters in Idaho’s 1st Congressional District, the case underscores the intersection of criminal proceedings and electoral processes, a combination that can be disruptive both for campaigns and for voters seeking clarity on their choices.
This report is based on Ada County court records and the affidavit of probable cause filed by the Ada County Sheriff’s Office. Additional reporting may provide further context as public records and court proceedings continue to unfold.
