Vista Youth Dance Instructor Jailed for Alleged Child Molestation

VISTA (CNS) - A man who worked as a youth dance instructor in northern San Diego County for years was behind bars today on suspicion of sexually

assaulting at least four underage students.

David Mandujano Silvas, 39, was arrested at his Vista home on Tuesday and booked on suspicion of child molestation, assault to commit rape and

sexually assaulting a drugged person, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Silvas' alleged crimes came to light in July 2020, when a 30-year-old woman reported that he had molested her repeatedly while serving as her dance

instructor, beginning when she was 12 years old and continuing until she was 17, Lt. Kevin Ralph said.

The woman said the crimes occurred at various locations, including the former Callahan Institute of the Arts, an Encinitas dance studio that closed several years ago, Ralph said.

While investigating the allegations, detectives identified and located three more alleged victims, who were between the ages of 13 and 16 at the

time of the purported crimes. The women reported that the purported assaults occurred at dance studios, competitions and house parties in the San Diego area and Los Angeles County between 2005 and 2014.

Silvas was being held without bail in county jail in Vista pending his initial court hearing in the case, scheduled for Thursday.

Child abuse detectives investigating the alleged crimes believe there are additional victims and possibly witnesses who have not come forward, Ralph

said.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to call the San Diego County Sheriff's Child Abuse Unit at 858-285-6293.

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CNS-06-22-2022 17:46