San Jose police are investigating a city councilman accused of soliciting child sexual abuse material

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA. – Embattled San Jose City Councilman Omar Torres said he was the victim of “completely false” accusations. This came after San Jose police officers conducted a criminal investigation into the Dist. initiated for the first time. 3 reps.

“We have to let our detectives do their job. I know our police are working incredibly hard to find out the truth. And as there is more information, our police department can share it at that time,” said Mayor Matt Mahan. (D) San Jose, in front of City Hall, in response to the development.

On Thursday, San Jose police confirmed that a criminal investigation had been opened against the 42-year-old. According to published reports, the investigation focused on child sexual abuse material.

“You never want to find yourself in this situation again. And that's why people who chat like this online are at risk of blackmail. And that's what he says,” said Steven Clark, a legal analyst who has worked as both a prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney.

According to published reports, Torres searched the Internet for sexually explicit images of a minor. Officers executed a search warrant for his electronic devices and passcodes. Torres said he complied and has since disappeared from the public eye.

Other council members declined to comment on the ongoing controversy.

“You want to keep some distance because you don't want to be the one seen too close to the guy who… and in general we tend to shy away from colleagues who have been accused of pretty vile and terrible things. ” said Peter Loge, assistant professor of media and public affairs at George Washington University.

Experts said online activity can be a trap because it is difficult to know a person's identity or motive.

“In this case, Councilman Torres’ mindset will be very important. “Did he believe he was communicating with anyone under the age of 18?” Clark said. “You have to prove that he knew he was communicating with a minor and saying things that were inappropriate.”

Torres did not respond to an interview request from KTVU. He issued a statement saying, among other things, that he was the victim of retaliation after contacting the police.

“It is heartbreaking that my family, my partner, my team and myself have to respond to such baseless and defamatory allegations,” he wrote.

Experts say that in the turbulent world of politics, just one accusation is enough to cause serious damage to a person's reputation.

“Allegations stick. Whether you're guilty or not, people are going to think, 'Well, maybe he's hiding something from us,'” Loge said.

Mayor Mahan said city business will continue while police detectives attempt to establish the facts of this investigation.

“We will remain focused on serving the people of San Jose. And all I can say is that this is an ongoing investigation and we have to let the city detectives do their job,” he said.

Torres was not charged and police did not take him into custody when the warrant was served.

The public prosecutor decides whether charges will be filed.