He must also register as a sex offender after he’s released from prison.
Ernesto Cesar Torres (Photo from Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office)
Frederick, Md (KM) A former Frederick pediatrician who abused dozens of his victims over the past 30 years learned his sentence on Monday. . The State’s Attorney’s Office says Ernesto Cesar Torres, 74, was given 30 years in prison for sexual abuse of a minor and three counts of 3rd -degree sex offense. A Circuit Court Jury on March 20th found Torres guilty of all counts in connection with the victim identified as MH.
He was originally indicted on 97 criminal counts, but that was scaled to four counts.
In May, 2019, Frederick Police received a complaint from a mother of an 11-year-old girl who said Torres touched her inappropriately during a pediatric exam. The child was sent to Torres for a mild skin condition, but the doctor made her feel uncomfortable by placing his hands down her pants in her “down there.” area. The victim told her parents she felt uncomfortable, and the family chose another physician.
“This is truly a story of perseverance both by the victim and the prosecutors. Neither would be discouraged or dissuaded and now this child predator will spend 25 more years in jail. . What he had had to say about the victims at sentencing was one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever endured in a courtroom. The only thing demonic about this case is the defendant’s action,” says State’s Attorney Charlie Smith, in a statement.
The victim know as MH told the court. “I now can’t trust male authority. My childhood was taken away from me,” she says.
Her mother also commented in court. “For 15 years, my children saw him regularly. I trusted him. I had no idea what my child was living through. My trust in him was shattered and I will carry this pain for the rest of my life. I still carry the guilt..”
When he’s released from prison, Torres will be placed on five years of supervised probation, and must register as a sex offender. He must also have no contact with the victims or their families, and will be placed on life time sex offender supervision..
By Kevin McManus