A former Sanger Police Department officer has been charged with multiple civil rights violations involving sexual assault, allegations that date back to 2017.
According to a 10-count indictment unsealed today, J. Deshawn Torrence, 38, of Corcoran, California, engaged in various forms of nonconsensual sexual conduct while serving as a police officer. The indictment alleges that Torrence directed a victim to remove her clothing without a legitimate law enforcement purpose and committed aggravated sexual abuse on multiple occasions between August 2017 and June 2021.
Torrence is facing charges of deprivation of constitutional rights under color of law, which carry a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine for four of the counts. The remaining counts carry a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, one year in prison, and a fine of up to $100,000.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Sacramento Field Office with assistance from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Special Litigation Counsel Fara Gold of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar are prosecuting the case.
Torrence is no longer employed by the Sanger Police Department. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of holding law enforcement officers accountable for their actions.
The charges against Torrence are only allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
A federal grand jury returned the indictment on an unspecified date, and the charges were unsealed today in Fresno, California.
The case highlights the need for law enforcement agencies to implement robust policies and procedures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Related Federal Cases
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- John Robert Remlinger, Child Sex Exploitation, California 2023 · California
- Robert Ruben Ornelas, Child Sex Abuse, California 2023 · California
- Erik Leonardus Peeters, International Child Sex Abuse, California 2023 · California
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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