Esther Silva
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces that Esther Silva, 65, from Knowlton
Township, New Jersey was arrested in connection to a sexual assault investigation.
Esther Silva is charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated sexual assault, in violation
of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2(a)(2) and N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(a)(2); first-degree endangering the welfare of a child
– permitting a child to engage in a recorded sexual act, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(b)(3);
second-degree conspiracy to commit sexual assault, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2(a)(2) and
N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(c)(1); second-degree conspiracy to commit sexual assault, in violation of N.J.S.A.
2C:5-2(a)(2) and N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(c)(3); second-degree endangering the welfare of a child –
recording a child in a sexual act, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(b)(4); and third-degree
endangering the welfare of a child – sexual conduct, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a)(1).
On Wednesday, July 11, 2025, members of the Paterson Police Department received newly
discovered evidence in relation to the sexual assault of a child in 2007. The matter was immediately
referred to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit. The investigation revealed
that in 2007, Esther Silva video recorded and, on several occasions, facilitated acts of sexual abuse
against a female child who was between 15 and 16 years old at the time. It is alleged that Ms. Silva
conspired to commit the acts with a man who is now deceased. Esther Silva was charged and on
October 15, 2025, at approximately 10:30 a.m., she was arrested by members of the Passaic County
Prosecutor’s Office in the area of State Route 94 and Oraton Lane in Knowlton Township, New
Jersey.
The sentencing exposure on first-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated sexual assault is 10 to 20
years in New Jersey State Prison, with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant
to the No Early Release Act; on a first-degree endangering the welfare of a child pursuant to N.J.S.A.
2C:24-4(b)(3), it is 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison, with 85% of the term to be served
before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act; on a second-degree conspiracy to
commit sexual assault pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(c)(1), it is 5 to 10 years in New Jersey State
Prison, with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release
Act; on a second-degree conspiracy to commit sexual assault pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(c)(3), it
is 5 to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison; on a second-degree endangering the welfare of a child –
recording a child in a sexual act, it is 5 to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison; on a third-degree
endangering the welfare of a child – sexual conduct, it is 3 to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Mr. Silva is currently in custody at the Hudson County Jail. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office
has filed a motion for pretrial detention, which is scheduled before Judge William E. Marsala, J.S.C.
on October 21, 2025.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed
innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident
or other incidents regarding this individual to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO.
