Broward County Jiu-Jitsu Instructor Molested Students: Charges

DAVIE, FL — A martial arts instructor is being accused of molesting several of his students, according to Broward County arrest records. Joao Da Silva, 34, the owner of Raiva Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Davie, is being held without bond.

He's accused of molesting at least four of his students, ages ranging from under 12 to 17. The Broward County judge set bond at $75,000 each for two charges of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim between ages 12 and 16, and another $75,000 for one similar charge for a victim between 16 or 17.

For the charge of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim under 12, however, Da Silva was not granted bond.

One victim, now 13, says Da Silva touched her under her bra about three times per week for the past three years while she was taking lessons, Local 10 News reports.

Another victim, 15, told detectives Da Silva touched her under her bra as well.

Vivian Gallinal, a Davie police detective, said Da Silva's alleged actions were "not accidental or during the course of the instruction," CBS Miami reports.

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A 17-year-old victim told police Da Silva had molested her in Davie and in Hollywood Beach, where the martial arts studio held summer camps, Local 10 reports. He is accused of touching her under her training uniform during sessions, but her allegations get worse.

Sometimes after June 8, the victim told police, Da Silva was in the water with her and two younger children in floating rings, whom they were holding so they wouldn't float away.

She alleges she had just told Da Silva about a romantic relationship she was in when he told her he had to teach her what to do with a guy. He then told the teen to shift the bottom of her bathing suit to expose her vagina, Local 10 reported the complaint affidavit as saying.

Then, he told her to wrap her legs around him, she said. He put his penis on the victim's vagina, police say, but did not penetrate her. She panicked and got out of the water, she told police, according to Local 10.

Da Silva was arrested Tuesday.

Article image via Broward County Sheriff's Office