January 27, 2012 - Popular Salsa instructor Alex Da Silva was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for raping a 22-year-old woman in 2002 and assaulting a 25-year-old with intent to commit rape in 2009. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
The jury deadlocked on four other counts including two more alleged rapes. Those counts were dismissed.
According to the Associated Press, Superior Court Judge Kathleen Kennedy said that Da Silva does not respect women and feels “he’s Alex Da Silva, and he can do what he wants.”
Deputy District Attorney Martha Carrillo said Da Silva was a “rapist disguised as a popular salsa instructor.” He was “charming, popular, likeable, no one expected him to do this,” she added.
Da Silva’s attorney, Patrick S. Smith said the women who accused him were not telling the truth.
Da Silva had been arrested first in 2003, but was released due to insufficient evidence. Six years later a fourth woman accused him of luring her to his home using a ruse to get her into his bedroom and raping her. Da Silva’s case was reopened. Detectives went back to interview the prior women and charges were filed.
The dancer had stepped in the spotlight while choreographing dance routines for the Fox TV show "So You Think You Can Dance."
Da Silva’s sister, Stacy, who has occasionally posted about the court case on an online blog, added the following entry today: “To those of you who are concerned. My brother Alex got 10 years today. Very sad outcome! I love you so much big brother and I am very sorry that such a wonderful person like you had to go through this.”
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