New Bedford man sentenced to decades in prison for raping young relative

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A 46-year-old New Bedford man was sentenced to up to 45 years in prison for raping a young female relative hundreds of times over a five-year period starting when she was only 12 years old. Daniel Turcios Torres was convicted of multiple charges including rape, rape of a child, indecent assault, and witness intimidation.

Why it matters

This case highlights the devastating impact of long-term sexual abuse of minors by family members, as well as the challenges victims face in reporting such crimes due to threats and intimidation. It also raises questions about the immigration status and potential deportation of the perpetrator.

The details

According to prosecutors, Turcios Torres began sexually assaulting the victim shortly after she and her family moved from Ecuador to the United States in 2019, when she was 12 years old. The abuse included 'indecent touching' and 'penile penetration' rapes that occurred hundreds of times over the next five years. Turcios Torres allegedly forced the victim to take birth control to prevent pregnancy and threatened that her family would be separated and deported if she reported the abuse.

• The victim reported the abuse to New Bedford police in July 2024, when she was 17 years old.
• The abuse began in 2019 when the victim was 12 years old and continued for 5 years until she reported it.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Turcios Torres will serve his 36-45 year prison sentence and then face an ICE detainer, potentially leading to deportation proceedings.