Costa Mesa police seeking possible additional victims after arresting youth soccer coach

The Costa Mesa Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying possible additional victims of a youth soccer coach who has been arrested on charges of child molestation and possession of child pornography.

Detectives have been conducting an ongoing investigation into sexual assault allegations against Joshua Clever of Santa Ana, 39. During the preliminary investigation, detectives learned that over a six-month period Clever began grooming an unidentified 14-year-old girl, a soccer player he had access to through his employment.

He then allegedly had unlawful sexual intercourse with the victim, and the incident was ultimately reported by the girl’s parents to CMPD.

Clever was arrested on April 7 and released on $100,000 bail, police spokeswoman Roxi Fyad said. However, after his arrest detectives discovered that he had pornographic images of teenage girls on his cellphone.

Clever was arrested again in Santa Ana on Thursday and booked on an additional charge of possession of child pornography. Records show that he is being held at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange, and bail has increased to $1 million.

Detectives are trying to identify the juveniles in the pictures, and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with additional information, or who believes they have been a victim, is asked to contact CMPD Detective Alicia Defuria at (714) 754-5364 or adefuria@costamesaca.gov, or Sgt. Jose Morales at (714) 754-4933.

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