SANGER, CA – A former Sanger police officer has been sentenced to five consecutive life terms after being convicted of sexually assaulting four women during his time in uniform.
DeShawn Torrence, 41, was convicted 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 those counts involved kidnapping, aggravated sexual abuse, or attempted aggravated sexual abuse.
According to trial evidence, Torrence used his authority to target women he encountered during official duties:
- He kidnapped a 21-year-old woman walking to a store, drove her out of town in his police car, and sexually assaulted her at an isolated location. He told her “no one is going to look for you,” and warned her not to report him.
- He raped a 67-year-old woman after following her into her home during a DUI investigation. Torrence continued to intimidate the victim by parking outside her home and later assaulted her again behind the house.
- A third victim was attacked after Torrence appeared at her door after midnight in uniform and entered her home. He pinned her against a kitchen counter and assaulted her.
- In another case, Torrence repeatedly visited a domestic violence victim, claiming to investigate a prior incident. He manipulated her into exposing herself under false pretenses and later assaulted her in her bedroom.
Torrence was arrested following an investigation by the FBI Sacramento Field Office with assistance from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
He was sentenced to five consecutive life terms on September 22, 2025.
