Lawsuits against Fresno-area police include big settlements. Here’s what they cost
A series of lawsuits and settlements have recently rocked law enforcement agencies and police associations in Fresno County, unveiling disturbing allegations of sexual misconduct, wrongful terminations, theft, and abuse of power by officers and police leaders.
Below you’ll find concise recaps for each story—covering high-profile cases of officer crimes, sexual harassment suits, and civil rights violations—along with direct links for readers who want the full detail and the latest developments.
See recaps and links to full stories below.
A cop raped 4 women while on duty. Sanger just paid a $5.25 million settlement
The City of Sanger agreed to pay $5.25 million to a victim of former officer J.D. Torrence, who was sentenced to five consecutive life terms for raping and assaulting four women while on duty. Ongoing civil suits and the settlement aim to bring closure to victims. Click here for full story.
Officer ‘horribly unjustified’ in fatal Christmas Eve shooting in Fresno, lawyer says
A Fresno family sued a state parole officer after he fatally shot unarmed Jeremy Sanchez, 26, outside their home on Christmas Eve 2024. The family’s attorney called the shooting unjustified, especially given Sanchez’s mental health history. State and DOJ investigations are ongoing. Click here for full story.
Ex-cop who endured racist, sexual texts reaches $1.7M settlement with Fresno
Fresno has settled for $1.7 million with former police Sgt. Stacie Szatmari, who said she suffered sexual harassment, racist and homophobic texts, and wrongful termination after nearly two decades of service. Her attempts to stop the abuse led to increased persecution and negative mental health effects. Click here for full story.
How rogue Fresno cop terrorized business owners, lawsuits claim. ‘I want my name back’
Business owners in Fresno allege ex-detective Rey Medeles and another officer used bogus charges, theft, and intimidation to target them, resulting in lawsuits after criminal cases were dismissed. Medeles, later fired and charged with theft from evidence, faces ongoing civil and criminal proceedings. Click here for full story.
Former Sanger officer sues city, police commander for sexual harassment
Ex-Sanger officer Agustin Villatoro is suing the city and Cmdr. Joshua Johnson, alleging retaliation after rejecting sexual advances. Villatoro claims he was harassed, targeted with false allegations, and fired once he reported the misconduct. He seeks compensatory damages for harassment, retaliation, and discrimination. Click here for full story.
Fresno police union leader accused of retaliation after sex advances rebuffed
Anna Pine, former treasurer for the Fresno Police Officers Association, alleges she was fired in retaliation after rejecting sexual advances from union president Jeff LaBlue. Her lawsuit details explicit communications, workplace retaliation, and a hostile environment, seeking damages for discrimination and wrongful termination. Click here for full story.
Was Fresno cop distracted in fatal crash that killed father of 2? City pays $3.25M
The City of Fresno will pay $3.25 million to the family of Christopher Walker, hit and killed by an on-duty officer. Disputes about cellphone use, investigation bias, and evidence preservation surrounded the case, raising questions about fault and police accountability. The officer remains on the force. Click here for full story.
Ex-officer claims sexual harassment, racial discrimination in Fresno police department
Former Fresno officer Amya Brooks filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment, racial discrimination, and retaliation during her two years with Fresno Police. Brooks describes being used in diversity PR and enduring hostile treatment, ultimately resigning after suffering PTSD and being investigated for not firing her weapon. Click here for full story.
These recaps were produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by Fresno Bee journalists. This content was edited by journalists in the newsroom.
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