Former Santana High School Track Coach to be Sentenced for Sexual Activity with Underage Student

SANTEE, CA – A former Santana High School track coach who engaged in sexual activity with an underage student is scheduled to be sentenced today at the courthouse in El Cajon.

Keith Alan Silvia, 50, pleaded guilty in October to a felony charge of attending an arranged illicit meeting with a minor.

Last June, the parents of the victim – a junior at the Magnolia Avenue campus – found letters from Silvia in the girl's backpack, Lt. Dan Brislin said. The couple reported the discovery to school administrators, who in turn notified the sheriff's department.

Silvia turned himself in July 14.

“Detectives conducted an investigation and discovered that Silvia fostered an intimate relationship with the victim and arranged more than one off-campus meeting, (during which) they engaged in inappropriate physical contact,” the lieutenant said.

Silvia, who also worked as a campus supervisor at the high school, subsequently resigned from his job there, according to Catherine Martin, spokeswoman for Grossmont Union High School District.

By City News Service / Photo by Kristina Houck, Patch staff