Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice | Official Website
J. DeShawn Torrence, a former police officer from Sanger, California, was sentenced to five consecutive life terms for sexually assaulting four women while on duty. The sentencing follows his conviction in January 2025 by a federal jury in the Eastern District of California on eight counts of deprivation of constitutional rights under color of law. Five of these counts involved kidnapping or aggravated sexual abuse.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division stated, “The defendant’s conduct was premediated and depraved. He repeatedly abused his official authority to exploit women who expected the police to protect them. While no prison sentence can undo the extraordinary pain and suffering the defendant caused these women, today’s sentence of five consecutive life sentences holds the defendant accountable for his heinous conduct and sends a clear message that the Justice Department will aggressively prosecute those who violate the constitutional rights of the people they are sworn to protect.”
U.S. Attorney Eric Grant for the Eastern District of California commented, “I commend the court’s decision to impose life sentences on this former police officer, who betrayed the public’s trust and abused his authority to perpetrate heinous acts of sexual violence. This sentence sends a clear message: no one is above the law, and those who exploit their position to violate the civil rights of others will face the full force of justice. Our office stands with the victims and remains committed to protecting our communities from such egregious abuses of power.”
Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel of the FBI Sacramento Field Office added, “We commend the courageous women who came forward, trusting law enforcement to ensure J.D. Torrence was held accountable for his crimes. Their bravery has prevented this predator from harming anyone else. The FBI recognizes the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office for their unwavering partnership. Justice has been served, making our community safer.”
During trial proceedings, evidence showed that Torrence kidnapped a 21-year-old woman as she walked to buy groceries for her children and assaulted her at an isolated location after driving her out of town in his patrol car. He told her during this incident that “no one is going to look for you” and later warned her not to report him by saying “no one’s going to believe you.” In another case, he raped a 67-year-old woman after following her into her home during an investigation; he then intimidated her by parking outside her house repeatedly and assaulted her again behind her home.
A third victim described how Torrence entered her residence after midnight while in uniform and assaulted her inside against a kitchen counter. A fourth victim recounted that Torrence visited multiple times under pretense of investigating domestic violence but forced inappropriate photographs under false pretenses before ultimately assaulting her.
The investigation was conducted by agents from the FBI Sacramento Field Office with help from Fresno County Sheriff’s Office personnel.
Prosecution was handled by Special Litigation Counsel Michael J. Songer from DOJ's Civil Rights Division along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar from California's Eastern District.
