The plea hearing for disgraced former San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres has been delayed to next month, but his attorney said his client is willing to accept responsibility. Torres appeared at the main county courthouse Friday morning, but his hearing was delayed until Feb. 14 at 9 a.m. The former District 3 leader, who resigned...
Omar Torres
San Jose LGBTQ+ community grapples with Omar Torres scandal
The allegations were hard to believe. Initial reports of a child sex abuse investigation into San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres reeked of a political smear to his supporters, who had yet to see key details, in early October. For more than a year, the District 3 official faced incessant online vitriol for being an openly...
San Jose Councilman Omar Torres denied bail
San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres was denied bail on Thursday amid an ongoing child sex abuse investigation. Torres, who resigned from City Council effective Nov. 27, faces a maximum 24 years in jail if convicted on three felony counts of child molestation, which came after his Election Day arrest. Police are continuing their investigation of...
San Jose vice mayor warned about Omar Torres — and did nothing
Another top San Jose political leader was contacted about Councilmember Omar Torres — now facing charges of molestation and child sex crimes — more than a year before his downfall. Screenshots obtained by San José Spotlight shows a tipster — who had been in a sexual relationship with Torres — sent Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei...
San Jose official opts for appointment to replace disgraced colleague
San Jose Councilmember Sergio Jimenez is calling for an appointment to replace disgraced colleague Omar Torres, whose recent arrest and resignation could have business and labor interests dueling to tip the City Council’s balance of power. Jimenez wants his colleagues to interview replacement candidates and appoint someone at a special meeting, ideally by Dec. 27....
San Jose Councilman Omar Torres sodomized cousin, documents show
San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres allegedly sexually abused and sodomized his cousin when his relative was as young as 13, new police records obtained by San José Spotlight have revealed. The disturbing new details emerge as Torres faces three felony counts of child sexual assault, according to new court documents released after his stunning arrest...
San Jose police arrest Councilman Omar Torres
Story updated Nov. 6 at 9:27 a.m. Original story published Nov. 5 at 4:40 p.m. San Jose police have arrested Councilmember Omar Torres, his attorney confirmed to San José Spotlight. The attorney said on Tuesday that Torres had been “picked up,” and will be arraigned Wednesday. SJPD confirmed Torres was taken into custody as part...
San Jose leaders deny Councilman Omar Torres’ medical leave request
Questions are mounting as to whether or not embattled San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres will resign — and his colleagues are declining to formally excuse his absence from public meetings. For a second time since police filings showed Torres sent lewd texts about minors, councilmembers at a Wednesday Rules and Open Government Committee meeting declined...
Silicon Valley ad campaign ties candidates to embattled official
A text campaign attacking two labor-backed candidates for their prior association with embattled San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres is popping up on phones across Santa Clara County — a political play some are deeming dirty with the election just a week away. The advertisements show pictures of San Jose City Council District 2 candidate Pamela...
San Jose residents start campaign to recall Councilman Omar Torres
Downtown San Jose residents are launching a recall campaign against Councilmember Omar Torres, claiming they no longer feel represented by him as he continues to evade the public eye. Torres, who represents the downtown neighborhoods of District 3, has maintained his innocence despite dodging his council responsibilities and missing multiple meetings after police filings showed...