Quick Take
Monterey County officials arrested and charged the founder of a Salinas-based art nonprofit with seven felony counts alleging child sexual assault. PVUSD Superintendent Heather Contreras said Joshua Alfaro briefly worked for the district last month but the contract had been terminated.
Members of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District community interacted with a Salinas arts consultant who was recently charged with child sexual assault, district officials said Tuesday.
The update comes two days after the district said the consultant, 42-year-old Joshua Alfaro, had not had direct contact with any PVUSD students.
“Since our most recent communication regarding the arrest of a consultant, individuals have come forward with information regarding the interactions that Mr. Joshua Alfaro had with the PVUSD community,” Superintendent Heather Contreras wrote in an emailed statement on Tuesday.
Alfaro is the founder of Alisal Community Arts Network, or AlisalCAN. The nonprofit describes itself on its website as aiming to “transform the lives of East Salinas youth by cultivating positive character traits through team-oriented performing arts ensembles.”
Alfaro was arrested May 26 and charged with seven felony counts which relate to sexual assault of three girls under the age of 14 between January 2018 and May 2024.
On Sunday, Contreras said Alfaro had consulted with the district for only two days, from May 22-24, visiting Pajaro Middle School, Lakeview Middle School and Pajaro Valley High School to speak with band directors about musical instrument needs and “did not have direct contact with students.”
The charges, which were filed in Monterey County Superior Court last Wednesday, involved a different school district, she added. However, on Tuesday, she wrote that individuals had come forward since her Sunday message to provide officials with new information.
District spokesperson Alicia Jimenez did not immediately return requests for comment to elaborate on whether or not Alfaro’s interactions involved students, or whether any of those interactions are being investigated by the district or law enforcement.
“We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community members and will cooperate with the ongoing investigation,” Contreras wrote.
Alfaro pleaded not guilty last Wednesday, according to Monterey County Superior Court records. He is scheduled to return to court July 10, when a judge is expected to schedule a future preliminary hearing.
In her Tuesday message, Contreras added that Monterey County officials are continuing to investigate and anyone with additional information should contact the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office at 831-755-5070.
“We understand that such information has caused an impact in our community,” Contreras wrote in the Tuesday message. “As a district, we have resources available at each school site to assist in helping individuals process this news.”
Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here.