This article was written by Ruth Brown with the Idaho Statesman.
Ada County Sheriff’s deputies arrested on Monday a 28-year-old Boise man who is accused of sexually abusing three children on multiple occasions.
John Torres was arrested on suspicion of four counts of lewd conduct with a child younger than age 16 and two counts of sexual abuse of a minor younger than age 16. The abuse stems from multiple incidents with the children between 2012 and 2015.
Detectives began their investigation in May after being contacted by a third party who told them Torres had sexually abused a 9-year-old girl in 2015 at a Star-area home, according to the Ada County Sheriff’s blog.
“Detectives developed evidence Torres had illegal sexual (contact) with two other pre-teenage girls at a home in northwest Boise around the same time – and that the abuse for all three victims occurred at the two homes between 2012 and 2015,” the post said. “All victims in the case were known to Torres.”
An arrest warrant was issued for Torres on July 23, and he turned himself in at the Ada County Jail on Monday.
Detectives say they are concerned Torres might have other victims. Anyone with information is asked to call detective Neil Daigle at 208-577-3704 or send an email to ndaigle@adacounty.id.gov.
He is being held in the Ada County Jail on a $500,000 bond. His next court date is set for 8:30 a.m. Aug. 5.
If convicted, lewd conduct with a child under age 16 is punishable by up to life in prison. Sexual abuse of a minor younger than age 16 is punishable by up to 25 years in prison.
NEED HELP?
The Faces of Hope Victim Center is available for victims in need of emergency services at 417 S. 6th St. in Boise. Victims should call 911 in emergencies or call 208-577-4400 on weekdays during business hours. Faces of Hope provides free medical care and forensic examinations for victims, as well as assistance with filing police reports and mental health care.
Survivors who may need help are also encouraged to contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
