BELLEVILLE – Circuit Judge John O’Gara granted a motion to dismiss a felony sexual abuse charge against Smithton resident Nick F. Gojmeric, a relative of St. Clair County state’s attorney James Gomric, on March 23.
O’Gara wrote, “Defendant requires medical care which he is unable to receive while this matter is pending.”
Gojmeric turned 93 last July.
Special prosecutor David Rands, who moved to dismiss the charge, requested and received leave to reinstate it.
The alleged abuse occurred on Dec. 21, 2018.
In January 2019, Steve Sallerson of Gomric’s office asked the State’s Attorney’s Appellate Prosecutor for assistance.
He identified Gojmeric as a relative of the state’s attorney.
The appellate prosecutor sent Rands, who secured an indictment in August 2019.
It alleged that Gojmeric committed an act of sexual force against an anonymous victim by removing her clothing and rubbing her pubic area.
Circuit Judge Robert Haida had set a $20,000 recognizance bond.
Authorities apprehended Gojmeric in October 2019, and Chief Judge Andrew Gleeson assigned O’Gara.
Gomric and O’Gara formerly practiced together.
Gojmeric retained attorney Justin Kuehn of Belleville.
O’Gara held proceedings in December 2019, and continued them five times last year and once in February.
As of April 20, O’Gara and Gomric hadn’t responded to requests for comments.