SAN JOSE, Calif. — San Jose City Councilmember Omar Torres is embroiled in a police investigation after allegations surfaced accusing him of soliciting child sexual abuse material. The first-term councilman claims the charges are a result of an extortion scheme stemming from a misunderstood online interaction.
Mayor Matt Mahan of San Jose expressed his limitations regarding comments on the ongoing investigation into the behavior of District 3 representative, Torres. Last week, the mayor confirmed that the police department was diligently working to uncover the truth in the matter.
Torres, age 42, vehemently denied the allegations last Thursday, suggesting that the purported evidence was manipulated as part of an extortion attempt. According to Torres’ statements, the controversy originates from what he described as a consensual dialogue with an adult that devolved into a compromising situation.
Legal counsel for Torres has been active in framing his client’s narrative. The Law Office of Nelson McElmurry issued a statement elaborating on the nature of the interactions at the center of the investigation. According to their release, Torres engaged in communications with a 19-year-old acquaintance, which began in February 2022. This relationship, they claimed, eventually took a predatory turn when the younger party began to manipulate the conversation, strategically guiding it toward topics which could later be used against Torres.
“The content of these conversations was purely fictional, intended as a form of role-play between consenting adults,” the attorney’s statement pointed out.
Despite the defense’s characterizations, law enforcement took the step of securing Torres’ electronic devices and passwords to verify the nature of the materials in question. This action forms a part of the ongoing scrutiny into whether the councilman’s interactions crossed legal boundaries.
Further complicating the narrative, Torres’ attorney mentioned how the interactions evolved into a scheme to extort money from the councilman. The attorney alleged that the young adult exploited the situation by distorting the fantasies discussed during their role-play to leverage substantial sums from Torres.
Torres has cooperated fully with the San Jose Police Department, according to his lawyer, who also said the council member remains focused on restoring his reputation and continuing his duties within the council.
As the community watches closely, the investigation continues to develop. Officials have remained tight-lipped about the details, citing the sensitivity and ongoing nature of the investigative process. Meanwhile, the people of District 3 are left waiting for a resolution, hoping for clarity on the serious accusations leveled against their elected representative.