FRESNO COUNTY, Calif,. (KFSN) — Life behind bars-that’s the punishment for former Sanger Police officer J.D. Torrence who was convicted of sexually assaulting four women while he was on duty.
“His actions represent one of the most serious betrayals of public trust possible,” Sanger Police Chief John Reynolds stated.
Chief Reynolds says Torrence joined the force in 2016.
Court documents show his abuse of power started in 2017 and went on for years.
“By abusing his badge to commit repeated sexual assault under the color of authority, he not only victimized vulnerable women, but also inflicted lasting harm on the reputation and the integrity of the Sanger Police Department,” Chief Reynolds said.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office says the first allegation against Torrence came in June of 2021.
“Brave, courageous individuals came forward and told us that they were victims of crimes, heinous, violent, sexual crimes by Officer Torrence,” Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni stated.
Because of their bravery, Torrence was placed on leave, then arrested that fall.
“No law enforcement officer is above or beyond the law,” Assistant special Agent in Charge at the FBI Sacramento, John Dozier said.
One of his survivors, represented by Butch Wagner, was around 67 years old when Torrence stalked and took advantage of her.
“He raped her on multiple occasions,” Wagner said. “He had told her he needed to talk to her, needed to help her, let her into her house and that’s where it happened and he was forceful about it I mean it was horrible.”
Wagner and that survivor are now filing a civil lawsuit against Sanger and its police department.
“I want to find out from the city of Sanger how this went on so much with Torrence, how the city didn’t know that Torrence was out there engaging in these acts,” Wagner stated.
The Sanger Police Chief hoping to regain the trust of the community every day.
“We’re not brushing anything under the carpet. There is not a corrupt agency. We’re going to do the right thing,” Chief Reynolds said.
Law enforcement continues to encourage possible victims in any case to come forward so they can bring the abuser to justice.
