A Merced County teacher previously arrested in March has been indicted on federal charges of distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced Monday.

Patrick Silva, 38, of Hilmar, pleaded not guilty Monday following a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury Thursday, Nov. 5, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He was arrested Friday and remains in federal custody, with a detention hearing scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12.

Court documents allege Silva distributed child sexual abuse material online from November 2024 through September 2025 while working as a teacher at Delhi High School.

Earlier Arrest in March

Silva was arrested at his home March 18 by the Merced County Sheriff’s Office and the Fresno Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, according to GV Wire’s previous reporting.

Authorities booked him into the Merced County Jail on felony allegations of possessing more than 600 images of child sexual abuse material and distributing such material. Investigators said at the time they had found no indication that local children were depicted.

Homeland Security Investigations, the Central Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, and the sheriff’s office investigated the federal case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke Baty is prosecuting it.

If convicted, Silva faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, prosecutors said. Any sentence would be determined by the court after considering applicable statutory factors and federal sentencing guidelines.

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