Alex Da Silva – the renowned dancer, salsa instructor and choreographer who has been featured on FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance” – was arrested yesterday on suspicion of sexually assaulting four of his dance students, the Associated Press reports.
Police say the victims claim that the 41-year-old salsa dancer, who teaches at a number of dance studios in Los Angeles, lured the women to his homes in Van Nuys and North Hollywood where he then raped them.
Da Silva has been accused of sexual assault three times before – in 2003, 2004 and 2005 – but no charges were filed. However, when a fourth woman came forward last month and accused him of rape, the police decided to reopen the other three cases. Police now seems to think that there are probably other victims out there and anybody with information about other alleged assaults involving Da Silva is urged to contact Van Nuys detectives.
Da Silva is reportedly being held on $3.8 million bail, and is due in court on April 7.
Da Silva won the World Salsa Dancing Championships in 2002 and 2007. Before his arrest, he was teaching at the EDGE Performing Arts Center in Hollywood and the Mayan Club in downtown Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Check out Alex Da Silva on “So You Think You Can Dance” below: