When someone wears a badge, we trust they’ll protect us — respect our dignity, help us when we’re vulnerable, and uphold the law. But in a recent case, that trust was shattered. The story of the case involving former J. DeShawn Torrence, an officer with the Sanger Police Department, stands as a stark reminder that those in authority are not immune from accountability — and it underscores the need for survivors to have strong legal representation. At The Wagner Law Group, we are actively supporting civil claims for victims in this case, and we encourage anyone who has been abused by law enforcement or other authority figures to contact us for a free evaluation.
What happened: the facts of the case
In September 2025, the J. DeShawn Torrence case culminated in a dramatic federal sentencing. Torrence, age 41 at the time of sentencing, was convicted after a jury trial in the Eastern District of California of eight counts of deprivation of constitutional rights under color of law, including charges of kidnapping, aggravated sexual abuse, or attempted aggravated sexual abuse.
Among the evidence in the case:
- A 21-year-old woman walking to buy groceries was kidnapped by Torrence in his police car, taken outside of town to a dead-end location, and sexually assaulted. He taunted her, reportedly saying, “no one is going to look for you.”
- A second victim, a 67-year-old woman, was sexually assaulted after Torrence followed her into her home during what began as a DUI investigation. Afterward, he stalked and intimidated her by parking his police vehicle outside her home.
- Torrence visited a third victim after midnight in his police uniform, entered her home without consent, pinned her against the kitchen counter, and sexually assaulted her.
- With a fourth victim, who was already the subject of a domestic-violence investigation, Torrence pretended he needed to “photograph” injuries and forced the victim to expose parts of her body, later trapping her in her bedroom and sexually assaulting her.
The abuses spanned years: records show his abusive conduct began around 2017, and the first official allegation came in June 2021, when brave victims came forward.
As the Sanger Chief stated: “By abusing his badge to commit repeated sexual assault under the color of authority, he not only victimized vulnerable women, but also inflicted lasting harm on the reputation and integrity of the Sanger Police Department.
On September 22, 2025, Torrence was sentenced to five consecutive life sentences, a punishment meant to reflect the severity of his conduct and the betrayal of the public’s trust in him.
Why this case matters for survivors and for justice
The Torrence case illustrates several critical realities:
- Abuse of power + trust: This was not a momentary lapse, but a pattern of exploiting victims while wearing a badge. The uniform, the authority—it became tools of abuse. Justice officials said as much.
- Vulnerability of victims: The victims were walking to get groceries, older women, domestic-violence survivors — people who reasonably expected help from law enforcement, not exploitation.
- Importance of coming forward: The first official allegation came only in 2021, despite years of misconduct. It took the survivors’ courage to speak out. One law enforcement official noted: “Brave, courageous individuals came forward and told us that they were victims of crimes, heinous, violent, sexual crimes by Officer Torrence.” ABC30 Fresno
- Accountability does matter: The federal system imposed life sentences. “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.” Justice.gov
- Civil avenues for survivors: Criminal prosecution is one path, but survivors often have rights in civil court too — against the individual and potentially against the agency/employer where there was negligence, failure to supervise, or failure to protect. Our firm is participating in that process.
The role of The Wagner Law Group
Here at The Wagner Law Group, we are dedicated to helping survivors of sexual abuse — including abuse by law-enforcement officers or other government employees who occupy positions of authority. In the Torrence case, we are currently representing a survivor: “He raped her on multiple occasions … He told her he needed to talk to her, needed to help her, let her into her house, and that’s where it happened. He was forceful about it. I mean, it was horrible.”
Our founding attorney, Butch Wagner, stated:
“I want to find out from the city of Sanger how this went on so much with Torrence, how the city didn’t know that Torrence was out there engaging in these acts.”
Our team is standing by to assist survivors of sexual abuse by government employees, police officers, correctional staff, or other caretakers of trust. We provide:
- A free consultation to help you understand your rights, options, and potential legal pathways (criminal and civil).
- Lawyers experienced in sexual assault & abuse claims, including those involving public-agency liability and official-capacity defendants.
- Commit to protecting your confidentiality, explaining the process clearly, and fighting for the compensation and accountability you deserve.
- No fees unless we successfully recover damages on your behalf.
If you, or someone you know, was sexually assaulted by a police officer or other person in authority — whether in Sanger, California, FCI Dublin, or elsewhere in California — we urge you to contact The Wagner Law Group as soon as possible.
Could this apply to you? Signs and considerations
You may have a legal claim if any of the following apply:
- You were sexually assaulted by a police officer, correctional officer, or other law-enforcement employee or agent of a government or public entity.
- The assault happened while the person was on duty, in uniform, or using their official position.
- You were threatened, intimidated, coerced, manipulated, or the person used their badge, position, or claim of authority to carry out the assault.
- You reported the assault and were ignored, retaliated against, or the agency failed to investigate.
- You have suffered harm physically, emotionally, or financially as a result of the assault.
- You believe there is a broader failure of oversight, training, or supervision by the law-enforcement agency, which could give rise to a claim against the agency under civil rights statutes (such as 42 U.S.C. § 1983) or state tort law.
Especially in cases like the Torrence matter, where multiple victims came forward and the agency was accused of failing to detect or stop the misconduct sooner, there may be agency liability — meaning a survivor could have a civil claim not only against the individual abuser, but also against the law-enforcement agency, the city of Sanger, or other public employer.
Why you should consult a sexual-abuse attorney now
Time is of the essence in sexual-abuse cases. Evidence can disappear, memories fade, witnesses relocate — and legal deadlines (statutes of limitations) apply. A few reasons to act now:
- Preserve your rights: The sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better we can gather records, identify witnesses, and build your memory and documentation while it’s fresh.
- Assess complete options: You may have both a criminal-law and a civil-law claim. A lawyer can explain how these overlap and what each path means.
- Understand how the public-agency system works: Lawsuits against public entities involve special rules (notice requirements, immunity issues). Having counsel experienced with those claims is critical.
- Be supported: Going through this kind of trauma is devastating. An attorney who understands emotional and legal harm can make a real difference in moving toward justice and healing.
- Potential for accountability and compensation: Beyond criminal law punishing the abuser, civil law aims to provide financial and legal recourse to victims — for medical bills, therapy, lost wages, emotional suffering — and to hold institutions accountable.
At The Wagner Law Group, we understand how severe the impact of sexual abuse by someone in authority can be. We are committed to protecting your rights, standing up for victims, and doing everything possible to hold the responsible parties accountable.
What to do next
If you believe you were sexually assaulted by a police officer, government employee, or someone in a role of trust — whether in the Sanger case or elsewhere — here’s how to move forward with The Wagner Law Group:
- Contact us for a free case evaluation. You’ll have an upfront conversation with an attorney (no cost or obligation).
- Tell your story in your own words. We’ll listen and ask questions about what happened, when, where, who was involved, and how you were impacted.
- We’ll review whether you have a legal claim against the individual, the agency/employer, or both.
- Let us handle the process: investigating, preserving evidence, dealing with insurers or public-agency risk pools, negotiating or litigating as needed.
- You focus on your healing while we focus on fighting for your rights, recovery, and accountability.
As Butch Wagner said, “I want to find out … how the city didn’t know that Torrence was out there engaging in these acts.” The same question matters for many survivors: How did this happen? Who allowed it? How can I hold them responsible?
The Wagner Law Group Is Standing Up for Survivors
The Sanger Police Department case revealed the worst betrayal — when someone sworn to protect uses their authority to harm. But it also showed the power of survivors coming forward, dedicated law-enforcement partnerships (FBI & Fresno County Sheriff’s Office), and the legal system stepping in to hold someone accountable.
If you’re a survivor of sexual assault by a police officer, corrections officer, public employee, or other person in a position of trust, you don’t have to face this alone. The Wagner Law Group is here to stand with you, to fight for you, and to help you take the first step toward justice and recovery.
Call us today for your free consultation. You deserve accountability, compensation, and a team that will fight for you every step of the way.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please contact The Wagner Law Group to schedule your personal, confidential consultation.
