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Coach arrested
News 2 The Pearl Post
Dec. 7, 2018
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Girls empowered through Girls Lead Assembly
Farah Faiza
Staff Writer
As a child, Lindsay Amstutz never had an interest in sports, yet went on to create a girls basketball team for her community when she saw there was none. This later led to her career in the sports industry, a field she wants to share with young girls in order to include more women.
On Nov. 27, FOX Sports presented the Girls Lead Assembly at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) to promote jobs related to production and broadcast. It was hosted by Amstutz, the senior vice president and general manager of FOX Sports West, Prime Ticket and FOX Sports San Diego. Throughout her presentation, Amstutz emphasized the process of reporting sports news and the roles that contribute to it, such as producers and statisticians.
“What we try to do is tell the stories of our sports teams and we do it 600 times a year,” Amstutz said.
Amstutz engaged with the audience and encouraged them to share their own experiences by asking questions about their talents and favorite subjects. In order to motivate the girls to build up the confidence to pursue leadership positions and opportunities, she played a video that highlighted women working for FOX Sports.
BCCHS coach faces molestation charges
Itzel Luna and Casey Wanatick
Staff Writers
Birmingham Community Charter High School’s (BCCHS) girls lacrosse coach and science teacher Scott Hughes Silva awaits a pretrial hearing on Dec. 11 on 24 counts of sexual misconduct.


Silva, who entered a plea of not guilty, is currently in custody at the Los Angeles county jail with $495,000 bail where Detectives of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Sexually Exploited Child Unit began their investigation into the accusations against Silva on Nov. 1. The charges were filed on Nov. 16 and a warrant in the amount of $400,000 was issued for Silva’s arrest, according to court documents. He was arrested without incident according to the police press release.
A restraining order was filed against Silva to stay at least 100 yards away from both BCCHS and Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) as well as the 13 named victims. According to the court documents, there is a possibility of more victims.
Silva is charged with six counts of California penal code section 243.4(A) which states that “any person who touches an intimate part of another person while that person is unlawfully restrained by the accused or an accomplice, and if the touching is against the will of the person touched and is for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or sexual abuse, is guilty of sexual battery,” and three counts of California penal code section 288(c)(1)
Photo by Cassia Ramelb Girls from all grade levels attended the Girls Lead Assembly on Nov. 27. Fox Sports Senior Vice President Lindsay Amstutz spoke to students in hopes of encouraging them to pursue a career in the sports industry.
which states that “lewd and lascivious acts on a minor ages 14 and 15 years old.”
According to criminal case summary, he was also charged with 14 counts of California penal code section 647.6(A) (1), which states that “every person who annoys or molests any children under 18
Photo released by LAPD Girls Lacrosse Coach Scott Silva was arrested on Nov.16.
years of age shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both the fine and imprisonment.” And one count of California penal code section 236. This code
section states that “intentionally and unlawfully restrained, detained or confined a person; and your act made the person stay of go somewhere against his or her will.”
DPMHS Principal Deb Smith became aware of the allegations on Nov. 16 and has been taking actions to help support the students affected.
“He’s not my employee so there is not really any actions that I need to take except to meet with the students,” Smith said.
A presentation is being organized by school psychologist Eliana Lichtman and social worker JoAnne Tuell with the purpose of helping students speak out about any problems and situations where they are in harm’s way.
“We’re trying to reassure kids that it’s okay to report it. It’s important to report it,” Smith said.
BCCHS athletic director Rick Prizant declined to comment when contacted via email and BCCHS Principal Tracie Bowdoin could not be reached for comment after several attempts to reach her through email and telephone. After trying to reach her through telephone, Silva’s private attorney Michelle Silva didn’t return the multiple calls made.
If anyone has any information regarding this case, please call the Sexually Exploited Child Unit, Juvenile Division at (213) 486-0580, from 7 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Instagram: @_itzelluna_ Instagram: @casey_902
“It was very inspirational to see women encourage other women to go into a field that is very male dominanted,” junior Bianca Lam said.
Volunteers were called on to help create
a mock-production truck, working as a mobile crew in charge of covering sports games live and taking on roles like anchor or director. It was a creative way for Amstutz to share all the possibilities while having
the audience feel involved.
“I learned a lot about the sports industry, especially jobs available where I don’t have to be an athlete, or even interested in sports,” senior Emely Felix said.
How to report a molestation
Parampreet Aulakh
Tech Editor
Students can be subjected to abuse and molestation from adults at school and may not understand how to go about reporting it.
Students may feel scared or embarrassed about coming forward with a situation like this but telling a parent or trusted school official is an important first step. If the allegations are severe enough. A school official will need to contact the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services to file a formal complaint. Law enforcement like the Los Angeles Police Department can be also be called by the parent or guardian of the victim to file an official report.
Taking proper measures in dealing with child abuse and child molestation are vital in creating a safe school environment. Information retrieved from LAUSD.
Twitter: @preeta248
Corrections: In a story on the Get Lit Assembly in the November Issue, Katharina Hanna’s name was misspelled. In a story on the Pride Club in the November Issue, Chelsea Bangerts was wrong.