Former Frederick Pediatrician Indicted on 98 Counts
Frederick – On December 20th, the Frederick Grand Jury indicted Ernesto Cesar Torres, age 69, of Frederick on 98 counts of sex crimes charges. In a Circuit Court bond review this afternoon, Judge Theresa Adams ordered Torres held without bond. The 98 counts relate to allegations from an additional 19 victims. All of the victims were juveniles at the time of the alleged offenses. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for January 24th at 9am.
Torres was sentenced December 23rd to one year in the Frederick County Adult Detention Center for 4th Degree Sex Offense. He is currently serving that sentence. On April 26th, 2019, the 18-year old female victim, who was a lifelong patient of Dr. Torres, went to his office on Thomas Johnson Drive for a follow-up appointment to discuss her anxiety medication. It was during this appointment that the victim reported being sexually assaulted by Torres. Torres waived his right to a jury trial in late October. Judge William R. Nicklas Jr. presided over a three-day bench trial and ultimately on November 1st, found Torres guilty of 2nd Degree Assault and 4th Degree Sex Offense. A 4th Degree Sex Offense merges with 2nd Degree Assault and therefore the maximum penalty in this case was a 1 year sentence. Torres will receive credit for time served on home detention since May 7th.
Additionally, Torres is scheduled for a trial to begin March 30th. In that case, a combined 49 sex crimes charges are alleged involving 12 victims.
An indictment is a charging document alleging criminal conduct. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
