San Jose Councilman Omar Torres served an arrest warrant – NBC Bay Area

San Jose police have executed a search warrant on Councilman Omar Torres as part of a criminal investigation, according to sources familiar with the matter.

A source with direct knowledge also confirmed to NBC Bay Area that the investigation is related to allegations of sexual abuse of minors. The San Jose Spotlight first reported the nature of the investigation into Torres.

On Thursday, officers stopped and served Torres with the arrest warrant. According to the Mercury News, which originally reported the story, the nature of the warrant was not immediately apparent.

“SJPD can confirm that a police investigation into a San Jose City Council member is ongoing,” the department told NBC Bay Area in a statement. “The investigation is active and ongoing. For this reason, we cannot provide any further information at this time. As the investigation progresses and new information is discovered, SJPD hopes to provide an update at a later date.”

NBC Bay Area attempted to call Torres several times but was unable to reach him. Torres' phone number went straight to voicemail and NBC Bay Area was unable to leave a message.

However, Torres sent a statement to NBC Bay Area, saying the claims were “deeply disturbing” and would “not impact my commitment to you and our community.”

“Today I was wrongfully arrested and questioned by investigators on unfounded allegations,” Torres said. “Let me be clear: these allegations are completely false. I cooperated fully with SJPD and shared my passwords without any problems because I have nothing to hide. This detention was based on misinformation provided to law enforcement in response to a police report I filed against an individual for extortion and stalking and is a clear act of retaliation by that individual. I want to make it clear that I am the victim in this matter. It is heartbreaking that my family, my partner, my team and I have to respond to such unfounded and defamatory allegations.”

This news organization also attempted to contact Torres' assistant but was sent to voicemail.

A spokesman for Mayor Matt Mahan also declined to comment on the matter and referred NBC Bay Area to police.

In 2022, Torres became the first openly gay Latino city council member. During the election campaign, he talked about his tough childhood and was committed to helping young people and families.

Prior to serving on the City Council, Torres was a member of the Franklin McKinley School District Board and a trustee of the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District. Until last year, he was regional director of the California Democratic Party and attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.