San Jose youth counselor suspected of sexually assaulting student in classroom
San Jose police said they arrested youth counselor Silvio Yoc-Aguilar on Nov. 29, 2022, suspected of multiple counts of sexual assault of a minor. (San Jose Police Dept. )
SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose police on Monday announced the arrest of a youth counselor accused of sexually assaulting a student inside a classroom at a middle school, and investigators said there could be additional victims.
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Investigators said the alleged assaults happened at Hubbard Middle School, where Silvio Yoc-Aguilar, 27, was working as a counselor for the organization "New Hope for Youth."
He was arrested on Tuesday, after detectives were called to a home to investigate a sexual assault of a minor.
"Detectives interviewed the victim and she disclosed inappropriate sexual contact with the adult suspect," police said in a news release.
The suspect was arrested at his home in San Jose and booked on multiple counts of sexual assault.
In a statement to KTVU, the youth services group "New Hope for Youth" said that Yoc-Aguila was a former employee who was working with the organization at the time of the alleged sexual assault.
"New Hope for Youth is cooperating fully with San Jose Police Department," said Phillip Rodriguez, the group's president and CEO, adding, "New Hope for Youth is dedicated to assuring that the safety and wellbeing of the youth is our highest priority in working with them and the community and that our work comes from a place of compassion."
Rodriguez also said all staff undergo a criminal background check as well as sexual harassment training and other instruction on working with youth.
Police said they believe there could be additional victims "due to the suspect’s position as a person of trust at the school."
They urged anyone with information about the case to contact the San Jose Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children/ Child Exploitation Detail Unit by emailing 3657@sanjoseca.gov and/or 4290@sanjoseca.gov or by calling (408) 537-1381.
Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-STOP (7867), or by clicking by here. Those who provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect may be eligible for a cash reward.