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Former Sanger Police Officer Convicted of Sex Crimes in Fresno, CA
FRESNO, Calif — In a shocking case of police corruption, a federal jury in Fresno convicted former Sanger Police Department Officer J. DeShawn Torrence, 42, of eight counts of deprivation of constitutional rights under color of law for sexually assaulting four women whom he encountered during the course of his official duties.
The jury found that the offenses included kidnapping, aggravated sexual abuse, and attempted aggravated sexual abuse, and also caused bodily injury. According to the indictment, Torrence sexually assaulted four women between 2016 and 2018.
The evidence at trial proved that Torrence sexually assaulted four women, including a 21-year-old woman who was walking to a store to buy groceries for her young children, a 67-year-old woman who was followed into her home during a DUI investigation, a third victim who was visited at her home multiple times under the guise of investigating a prior domestic violence incident, and a fourth victim who was forced to expose sensitive parts of her body for no legitimate reason.
“Law enforcement officers are entrusted with great power to protect the public and keep them safe from harm. This officer’s crimes were an egregious breach of that trust and an appalling abuse of power,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith. “We stand ready to investigate and prosecute such crimes with all the tools we have available.”
Torrence is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine for five of the counts. The remaining counts each carry a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
The FBI Sacramento Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Special Litigation Counsel Michael J. Songer of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar for the Eastern District of California are prosecuting the case.
J. DeShawn Torrence is the defendant in this case, and the exact criminal charges are eight counts of deprivation of constitutional rights under color of law. The city and state involved are Fresno, California. The exact date of the conviction is not specified, but the sentencing is scheduled for May 7, 2025. The sentence or outcome is a federal conviction, and the dollar amounts applicable are $250,000 and $100,000.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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