No Sexual Assault Charges for Famed Dancer
Updated 2:54 PM PDT, Thu, Jan 7, 2010
Los Angeles County prosecutors declined Tuesday to file criminal charges against salsa dancer and choreographer Alex Da Silva of the Fox television show "So You Think You Can Dance," saying further investigation was needed into allegations that he sexually assaulted four of his students.
In the wake of the decision, the 41-year-old Da Silva, who was arrested Saturday and was being held in lieu of $3.8 million bail, was expected to be released from jail sometime Tuesday.
Jane Robison, spokeswoman for the District Attorney's Office, said prosecutors wanted police to conduct more investigation before charges are considered. She also said more alleged victims have come forward, and they still needed to be interviewed.
According to police, Da Silva lured the victims -- who were all female dance students -- to his homes in North Hollywood and Van Nuys and sexually assaulted them. The alleged assaults occurred between May 2003 and March 28, police said.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Da Silva won the World Salsa Dancing Championships in 2002 and 2007 and, before his arrest, was teaching at the EDGE Performing Arts Center in Hollywood and the Mayan Club downtown.
First Published: Apr 7, 2009 3:55 PM PDT
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