SJPD details child sexual assault charges, crimes from decades ago against Councilmember Omar Torres

Updated 2 hours ago
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- San Jose police are releasing details about new allegations and sexual assault charges against Councilmember Omar Torres, who was arrested and resigned on Tuesday.

SJPD said in a news conference that they were contacted Monday, November, 4 by a survivor with new allegations against Torres in addition to the allegations they had previously been investigating.

Torres is now facing charges involving sexual assault of a minor including lewd acts with a child, oral copulation of a minor, and sodomy of a child.

PREVIOUS: San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres resigns, arrested on sexual misconduct allegations

San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph said that these crimes occurred well in the past. He said Torres and the victim knew each other and the alleged assault began when they were both minors and continued after Torres was an adult but the victim was still a minor.



Chief Joseph said it was not a relationship-based incident and was a molesting incident. He also said there is corroborating evidence beyond the victim's statement.

SJPD continues to investigate the original allegations against Torres, as well as these new ones. They did not release any more information on the status of that investigation.

Torres will be arraigned on Wednesday afternoon.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan also spoke, saying the allegations are every parent's worst nightmare.

"I speak on behalf of the entire council when I say that we are absolutely horrified by these allegations, and want to assure the public that Councilor Torres will receive in due process, that justice will be served in this case," Mayor Mahan said.



Mahan spoke to ABC7 News Tuesday night about what's next.

"The council has a choice to make in the coming weeks between a special election and an appointment," Mayor Mahan said. "Once we know the method by which we will fill the office we will layout a timeline for everyone that'll be prepared by our city clerk so that everyone has transparency into how the process will play out."

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.