San Jose City Council member Omar Torres is facing new child abuse allegations

San Jose authorities on Wednesday announced details of new charges against former City Council member Omar Torres involving the sexual assault of a young relative led to his arrest on election day.

The embattled council member made headlines Tuesday when San Jose police confirmed the news his arrest as part of an investigation into alleged indecent acts with a child.

San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan spoke to reporters at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

A short time later, Torres faced a judge for the first time. He was accused of abusing a family member in the late 1990s.

Still images from inside the courthouse showed Torres for the first time since his arrest.

Wearing county jail jumpsuits and shackles, Torres stood behind a sheriff’s deputy as he was charged with three counts of child sexual assault.

No video cameras were allowed in the courtroom during the arraignment, but Assistant District Attorney Jay Boyarski spoke to reporters immediately after the hearing.

“Mr. Torres was remanded without bail and remains in custody,” Boyarski said.

According to police, on Monday, November 4, the department was contacted by a survivor who outlined new allegations against Councilmember Torres that led to an ongoing investigation into sexually explicit text messages found on a cell phone belonging to Torres that allegedly involved minors , to be added.

Torres’ lawyer claimed the messages were “outrageous fantasy and role-playing.” These allegations have already led to Torres removed from several committees. So did other San Jose officials launched a recall campaign against him.

Torres submitted his resignation on Tuesday before his arrestsaid Councilman Bien Doan.

Investigators immediately launched an independent investigation into the new allegations, which quickly uncovered evidence supporting the survivor’s claims of sexual assault by Torres. On Tuesday, a judge issued an arrest warrant for Torres on multiple charges, including lewd acts with a child. Torres was subsequently taken into custody by members of the San Jose Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Joseph confirmed that the victim and Torres knew each other. According to online reports, the survivor and Torres are related.

“The alleged assault began when both the survivor and Torres were minors and continued after Torres became an adult but while the survivor was still a minor,” Joseph said. “The original investigation into Omar Torres is still active and ongoing, and we will not be releasing any new information regarding the status or nature of this case other than that it is ongoing.”

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan also addressed the alleged crimes.

“These allegations are every parent’s worst nightmare,” Mahan said. “But you don’t have to be a parent to be disgusted by the allegations against Omar Torres, which are among the most serious allegations imaginable.”

Mahan further assured residents of the district that Torres represents that he and the City Council would discuss how to fill the vacancy left by the City Council member’s resignation, whether by appointment or special election, which despite the passage of time is the method, which in his opinion he favors despite the time and the associated costs.

“I know this is a shock to all of us. We are devastated and outraged by these allegations, and I know San Jose deserves better. This also applies to our children and our families,” said Mahan. “I hope this resignation and arrest will allow San Jose to put this unfortunate chapter behind it and move full steam ahead on the issues that matter most to our community.”

Mahan is asking anyone with information to come forward.

“If you have any information regarding this case, the initial ongoing investigation, or any other cases involving harm to children, I ask that you please contact the San Jose Police Department, regardless of whether you are a member of the public or work for the city of San Jose,” said Mayor Mahan.

Torres is expected back in court on November 14. If convicted of these crimes, he could face up to 24 years in prison.