San Jose police issue an arrest warrant for City Councilmember Omar Torres

SAN JOSE – Police on Thursday served a search warrant on Councilman Omar Torres and arrested him in connection with a criminal investigation into alleged sexual misconduct involving a minor, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

On Thursday, officers stopped and arrested Torres and served him with an arrest warrant, sources told this news organization, adding that the investigation involved sexually explicit material and was looking into an alleged relationship.

It wasn't immediately clear what was listed in the search warrant, but given the nature and scope of the investigation, police were likely trying to seize his electronic devices.

San Jose police said Thursday they could “confirm that a police investigation into a San Jose City Council member is ongoing,” but did not provide further details.

“The investigation is active and ongoing. For this reason, we cannot provide any further information at this time,” the department said. “As the investigation progresses and new information is discovered, SJPD hopes to provide an update at a later date.”

A call to Torres' phone number went straight to his voicemail, which was full and unable to record any more messages.

A spokesman for Mayor Matt Mahan declined to comment on the matter and referred the matter to police, saying it was an ongoing investigation.

Torres, 42, was elected to the City Council in 2022 as the first openly gay Latino member after serving as an advocate for youth and families and often spoke about his difficult upbringing in the Washington District and how it spurred him to be more active in his neighborhood to become community.