San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and nine members of the City Council are calling on Councilmember Omar Torres to resign amid a shocking sexual misconduct investigation of the District 3 representative involving minors.
While Mahan and the city council members previously limited their comments due the active nature of the case, the release of graphic text messages between Torres and a young man in a search warrant affidavit prompted the mayor and the council to take a more decisive position Wednesday.
“Given the appalling nature of Omar Torres’ own words and the allegations against him, we believe that he has lost the trust of the community and is no longer able to effectively serve the residents of District 3,” the statement reads. “As his own words call into question his ability to lead and make decisions on behalf of the community, we are calling on him to resign.”
San Jose police detained and served a search warrant on Torres nearly two weeks ago, where it was revealed that Torres faced potential felony criminal charges for oral copulation of a minor and showing abnormal interest in a child.
Although Torres attributed his explicit messages referencing minors to “outrageous fantasy and role play,” councilmembers said they were “deeply appalled” and “sickened” by the 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.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
