Former SJ councilmember Omar Torres sentenced to 18 years in state prison for child sex abuse

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Disgraced former San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading 'no contest' to child molestation charges in April -- a final turn in the shocking saga that rocked City Hall and Silicon Valley's political scene.

Torres listened, while his family looked on, as Superior Court Judge Cynthia Sevely read his sentencing that fell a few years short of the maximum possible 24 years.

It comes just weeks after the parallel saga to fill Torres' District 3 council seat -- which became vacant after Torres' stunning arrest and resignation last year -- officially seated Councilmember Anthony Tordillos as downtown's newest elected representative.

Torres' defense asked Sevely for a generous five years -- noting Torres was a first-time offender, was sexually abused himself and overcame substance abuse issues by winning elected office and serving his community in downtown San Jose. Ahead of the hearing, Torres paid $6,400 for a psychological evaluation that argued his conduct was fueled by trauma and not pedophilia, according to a sentencing memorandum filed in court before the hearing.

RELATED: Former San Jose councilmember Omar Torres pleads no contest to child sex abuse charges

Deputy District Attorney Jason Malinsky, who prosecuted the case, said the evaluation lacked credibility and any transcripts, casting doubt on whether Torres was remorseful. He pointed to the separate police investigation into Torres over text messages he sent soliciting sex with minors in 2022.

The decision came after a dramatic morning that heard statements from Torres' victim, the victim's wife, Torres' immediate family and friends -- and eventually Torres himself.

"I am ashamed of my actions and ask my cousin and his wife for forgiveness. I violated their trust and crushed their hearts," Torres said through tears as his family let out muffled cries. "I am ready to deal with the consequences of my horrendous actions and I am ready to deal with my own trauma."

Torres will have to register as a sex offender with the state. He did not appear on California's Megan Law website as of Friday morning. San Jose police first detained and interrogated Torres last October -- and confiscated his devices -- in an investigation tied to lewd texts about minors between him and a man in Chicago. Torres was in a sexual relationship with the man who later extorted the councilmember over their messages. Torres sought help from the police. But his decision later backfired when police searched his phone and found instances of Torres bragging about sexual exploits with underage men.

RELATED: San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres charged with sexual assault of minor

Torres maintained his innocence after the investigation went public. He claimed he was the victim of political retaliation, with supporters rushing to his defense. But that support crumbled after police released transcripts of the messages, which Torres initially downplayed as "fantasy" and "role-play."

Media headlines around his texts later prompted a relative to come forward to police with allegations that Torres molested him in the 1990s, at a time when the relative was a minor and Torres was 18. Torres' attorney previously said his client tried to broach the subject with the victim and apologize for years. But it didn't happen until a November phone call between the two which police were listening in on. During that call, Torres admitted to molesting the family member. Torres shared that he himself was a victim of child sex abuse, according to a transcript of that call.

Prosecutors say Torres molested the victim for years and only stopped when Torres became concerned he would be caught.

The scandal kicked off a political firestorm where Torres maintained his innocence -- and managed to hold onto his seat for some time -- while dodging public appearances and refusing to leave office. The saga fueled weeks of City Hall employee unrest and scrutiny over the city charter and prompted a recall initiative that ended with Torres' arrest.

Torres, who had previously served as an elected trustee of the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District, resigned from the San Jose City Council in early November 2024. Torres served as an elected city councilmember for downtown San Jose District 3 from 2023 until late 2024, when he was charged.

ABC7 News contributed to this report.