Riding teacher faces more sex charges after new allegations

Riding teacher faces more sex charges after new allegations

By Brian R. Ballou, Globe Staff | April 27, 2007

Less than a month after being charged with the statutory rape of two teenage girls, a Swansea equestrian trainer was arraigned on 14 additional charges yesterday, based on new allegations by two other girls, Bristol County authorities said.

The four girls were all former clients of Joseph M. Silva, a popular figure in Southeastern Massachusetts who taught horseback riding.

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But he was arrested at his home Wednesday after a Bristol grand jury issued an indictment against him earlier in the day that included the original charges and the 14 new ones, bringing the total number of charges against him to 22.

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Silva worked at Haskins Farm as an instructor for 2 1/2 years but was fired in 2004 after the staff heard rumors about his activities, according to the co-owner, Ann Haskins. Silva then found a job at Holloway Brook as a show manager.

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