Bail reduced for suspected sex abuser

A Fallon man accused of lewdness and child abuse by sexual abuse will appear for a preliminary hearing on June 11 after a status hearing Thursday in Justice Court.

Dionisio “Denny” Gocong appeared in court in custody and his bond was reduced to $10,000, although his request to be release on his own recognizance was denied.

Gocong’s attorney, Steve Evenson, asked the court to reduce the bail to $5,000 in line with the bail schedule and saying the prosecution has no evidence of any wrongdoing.

Gocong is charged with one count of child abuse by sexual abuse not causing substantial bodily harm and one count of open or gross lewdness.

According to the criminal complaint, Gocong is suspected of grabbing the breast and kissing a 15-year-old girl in March.

Churchill Count Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford, though, took offense with Evenson’s characterization of the case and said the charges are serious. In addition, Sanford said Gocong is a flight risk with connections to the Phillipines.

Evenson, though, said Gocong wasn’t a flight risk, and he has long ties to Fallon in addition to working at Naval Air Station Fallon. Evenson said his client would be happy to surrender his passport and follow whatever conditions the court imposed.

Although Gocong was not released, he must turn in his passport upon bailing out of jail. He was also ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim.

In other court news —

A Fallon man accused of having sex at a park appeared Thursday in Justice Court for an arraignment.

Paul Lee faces one count of indecent exposure and one count of open or gross lewdness.

According to the criminal complaint, Lee is suspected of having sex with a woman and having his genitals exposed at a park off D Street on June 2.

Lee was appointed public defender David Neidert and is schedule to appear next week in Justice Court for a status hearing.