FREDERICK PEDIATRICIAN ERNESTO TORRES SENTENCED
Frederick – This morning, Frederick Circuit Court Judge William R. Nicklas Jr. sentenced Ernesto Cesar Torres, age 69, of Frederick to 1 year in the Frederick County Adult Detention Center. Torres waived his right to a jury trial in late October. Judge Nicklas 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.
State’s Attorney Charlie Smith commented, “We felt that the totality of facts warranted a guilty for 2nd degree rape in this case. We respectfully disagreed with Judge Nicklas’ trial verdict, but understand his ruling. We were relieved to see Torres get the maximum one year straight sentence and agree with Judge Nicklas that one year punishment in this case is simply not enough. This victim will have to live with the emotional scars of Torres’ actions for the rest of her life.”
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.
The State was represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Tammy Leache and Chief Counsel Joyce King.
