Merced County teacher indicted for distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM)

FRESNO, Calif. - On Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Patrick Silva, 38, of Hilmar, charging him with distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and possession of CSAM, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, from November 2024 to September 2025, Silva used the internet to distribute CSAM. During the same period, Silva was a teacher at the Delhi High School in Merced.

Homeland Security Investigations, the Central Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, and the Merced County Sheriff's Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke Baty is prosecuting the case.

Silva pleaded not guilty today at his arraignment. He was arrested last Friday and remains in federal custody. A detention hearing is scheduled for Nov. 12, 2026.

If convicted, Silva faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.