The political fallout over the shocking child sexual misconduct investigation into embattled San Jose District 3 Councilmember Omar Torres continues to grow as one of his fellow members on the dais has become the first official to publicly issue a statement of condemnation, as questions swirl as to whether Torres can still effectively represent his constituents.
Although Torres attributed his explicit messages referencing minors to “outrageous fantasy and role play,” District 7 Councilmember Bien Doan said he was “deeply troubled and appalled” by the graphic details revealed in a search warrant affidavit that included Torres texting a young man the description of an 11-year-old autistic boy’s genitalia, and asking him, “U got any homies under 18” while the two appeared to plan a sexual dalliance.
“There is no room for such behavior in our government or community,” Doan said, stopping short of calling for Torres’ resignation. “As a father, I condemn in the strongest possible terms the reprehensible text exchange involving children. We must stand firm in our commitment to protect the vulnerable and uphold the highest standards of integrity in our public officials.”
The criminal investigation began after Torres contacted San Jose police in late August to report that a 21-year-old Chicago man he was in an online sexual relationship with over the past two years extorted him, threatening to release explicit photos and videos unless Torres met his financial demands. Torres told police that he estimated making more than $22,000 in payments to the man, whom he met with while attending the Democratic National Convention to “discuss their ongoing relationship and find closure.”
After the most recent $2,500 payment demand, Torres went to the police, but in the course of the investigation, detectives began to shift their focus on Torres from victim to potential perpetrator after uncovering sexually explicit messages with the man that also included Torres saying he performed oral sex on a 17-year-old boy at an unspecified time.
The affidavit sheds some light on potential criminal exposure, including oral copulation of a minor – a felony – and showing abnormal interest in a child, prompting calls from the San Jose Police Officers’ Association for Torres to resign.
“Omar Torres must resign immediately and face the consequences for his alleged wretched behavior that includes exploiting children for sex, paying hush money to cover it up, and detailing his sexual exploits with an autistic child,” President Steve Slack said. “He must resign, and this investigation must also focus on Torres’ colleagues and on city management and seek the answers to these questions; ‘Who knew, and when did they know it.’”
In a statement provided to The Mercury News last week, Torres’ attorney, Nelson McElmurry, said the sexually charged text messages “do not reflect any real-world actions or intentions and were entirely fictitious.”
Even in the absence of criminal charges thus far, more elected officials have begun to put space between themselves and Torres as details emerge.
Like Doan, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said he was “shocked and sickened” by the affidavit’s contents.
“The allegations are …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
