So. Bay Church Youth Leader Arrested, Accused Of Child Sex Crimes

SARATOGA, CA — A Campbell youth leader was arrested on suspicion of distributing child pornography, lewd acts and sexual battery, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department reported Monday.

Sheriff's deputies assigned to the West Valley Patrol Division responded to a 10 a.m. call Thursday from the Saratoga Federated Church in Saratoga where three adult males had claimed they were victims of sexual abuse over five years.

The suspect identified as Joseph Silva Jr., 31, is a youth leader at the church and also works as a teacher at a Mandarin Immersion Program implemented by the West Valley Presbyterian Church in Cupertino, sheriff's officials add.

A few hours later, deputies arrested Silva after conducting a preliminary investigation in which the suspect disclosed to investigators that he sent, requested and received explicit photos of his genitals and photos of the victim’s genitals, the county sheriff's department claims. Text messages and social media were used.

There are four confirmed victims consisting of three 19- and 20-year-old adults who were juveniles at the time of the offenses, along with one minor. Two other juveniles may be potential victims, according to detectives conducting the probe.

Silva was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail in San Jose on possession and distribution of child pornography and contributing to the delinquency of a minor among other sex crimes. He was later released on $124,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on July 8.

The case is under investigation, with detectives working closely with church officials.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office at
408-808-4500. One may also contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigative Services anonymous tip line at 408-808-4431.