J. DeShawn Torrence, a former Sanger police officer, was convicted of sexually assaulting four women on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, while on duty and faces a possible life sentence. (Fresno County SO)
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A former Sanger police officer was convicted Wednesday of sexually assaulting four women while on duty, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.
J. DeShawn Torrence, 42, was found guilty of eight counts of deprivation of constitutional rights under color of law, including kidnapping, aggravated sexual abuse, and attempted aggravated sexual abuse, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
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Prosecutors said Torrence targeted victims during routine calls, including a 21-year-old woman he kidnapped and assaulted at an isolated dead end and a 67-year-old woman he raped during a DUI investigation.
He also entered another woman’s home uninvited and assaulted her and used a domestic violence investigation as a pretext to abuse a fourth victim, officials said.
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“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, as he repeatedly preyed on the women in his community and violated their civil rights,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith in a news release.
The FBI Sacramento Field Office led the investigation with help from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
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Torrence faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine on five of the counts, the DOJ said.
The remaining charges carry up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine each. He is set to be sentenced on May 7.
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