Statesville Man Enters Plea In Statutory Rape Case

On February 17, 2024, the Statesville Police Department responded to Iredell Memorial Hospital regarding a 13-month-old child who had been brought in unresponsive. The child was later transferred to Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital for additional treatment.

A joint investigation by the Statesville Police Department, the Iredell County Department of Social Services, and medical professionals led to Christopher Joe Torres being charged on March 5, 2025, with numerous felony offenses involving multiple victims, including several children. Additional individuals were also charged in connection to the case.

On August 15, 2025, in Iredell County Superior Court, Torres entered an Alford plea to multiple counts, including First Degree Statutory Sex Offense, Statutory Rape, and Felony Child Abuse Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury. He was sentenced to 144–233 months in the North Carolina Department of Corrections and will be required to register as a sex offender for life upon his release.

The Statesville Police Department extends its gratitude to the Iredell County Department of Social Services, the Forensic Team at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, and the Iredell County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance and dedication throughout this case.