Defendant in Fresno city attorney home intruder case sentenced after plea change
A man accused of intruding upon the home of Fresno City Attorney agreed on Friday to plead guilty to a misdemeanor trespassing charge after a felony attempted burglary charge was thrown out because of lack of evidence
Officially, Larry Torrez, 56, pleaded no contest to the remaining count. Fresno County Superior Court Judge James Kelley sentenced Torrez to 180 days, with credit for 62 days of time served and a $1,000 fine.
Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz testified Friday at a preliminary hearing that Torrez rang his doorbell and banged the door in his backyard at 3:30 a.m. May 17. Janz even grabbed a loaded weapon to protect his home.
Said Kelley to Torrez: “You are lucky that you got out of there with a pair of handcuffs and not a bullet.”
Kelley determined there was not enough evidence to pursue the felony attempted burglary charge.
“Had there been some evidence of an attempted break-in — pry marks, a removal of a screen, the jiggling of a doorknob — that could have gotten this past the preliminary hearing stage,” Kelley said. The trespassing charge remained, and Torrez changed his original not guilty plea.
Kelley admonished Torrez, advising him to just walk on by if he ever was in the neighborhood again. Torrez agreed and thanked the judge.
Janz spoke to the media after the hearing.
“I’m extremely frustrated. I think that anybody who watches those videos knows that a crime beyond trespassing was committed,” Janz said.
Janz takes the stand
A Fresno County Sheriff’s Office sergeant testified that a green folding knife was part of the property seized from Torrez after his arrest. Another deputy said Torrez claimed he was searching for a cat at the time.
Janz’s testimony included a review of footage captured by a security camera. He testified that the man seen in the videos, at the time holding a knife, was Torrez. The suspect was seen at the front door, and later in the back of the house.
“What I was thinking about first and foremost is the safety of my family,” Janz said after the hearing about possibly using his gun.
Janz testified he knew the suspect. Speaking to the media, he repeated a story he earlier told The Bee that Torrez filed complaints against the city over alleged secret recordings. Janz defended the city and the cases were dismissed.
After sentencing, Janz asked for a criminal protective order. Prosecutor Victor Lai told the judge the type of crime does not allow for such a request. Janz said he was frustrated and disappointed by that decision.
Janz wants DA to take another look
Lai told The Bee he will not add any new charges, considering it involved a knife.
Janz said he wanted more than that.
“I’m really hoping that the DA, if they have the ability, to take a look at the case again and consider appropriate charges,” Janz said. “Victor Lai did what he could with the case, and I’m going to defer to the DA’s office to do anything related to the charging decisions.”
A DA spokesperson said under state law “additional charges arising from the same incident are barred.”
This story was originally published July 17, 2026 at 4:16 PM.
