Coach arrested on suspicion of child molestation, pornography faces 12 felony counts

Orange County prosecutors filed charges Monday against a youth soccer coach arrested twice this month, first on suspicion of engaging in multiple sexual acts with a 14-year-old girl and one week later for allegedly possessing child pornography.

Joshua Alexander Clever, 39, of Santa Ana, faces 12 felony counts — including committing lewd and lascivious acts, oral copulation, unlawful sexual intercourse upon a minor in addition to possession of child pornography, court records indicate.

The sexual acts described in a criminal complaint filed Monday by the district attorney’s office reportedly took place between Feb. 11 and March 30. Costa Mesa police reported the girl was a soccer player to whom Clever had access through his employment.

Detectives had been conducting an ongoing investigating into Clever’s activities, after the victim’s parents contacted them with allegations of molestation, according to a release issued Friday.

They believe Clever groomed the 14-year-old over a period of more than six months before contacting her privately. On April 7, officers located Clever and arrested him on suspicion of unlawful sexual intercourse and lewd acts on a minor.

After his arrest, police discovered pornographic images of teenage girls on his cellphone. However, Clever had already posted $100,000 bail and been released from custody before additional booking charges could be made.

He was located on April 14 by Costa Mesa police in Santa Ana and arrested for alleged possession of child pornography. Detectives are still attempting to identify the juveniles in the images they found, which prosecutors described as at least one person under 18 engaging in and simulating sexual conduct, according to the complaint.

Although Clever’s bail was set at $1 million, an online prison inmate locator maintained by the sheriff’s department indicated he was again released from custody Monday night at 11 p.m. by court order. No reason was provided for his release and no bail amount was listed.

The locator lists Clever’s profession as manager, which corresponds to a LinkedIn profile of someone of the same name, age and city of residence who describes himself as an estimator and cost manager for a local engineering firm.

Los Angeles Times archives indicate someone by the same name played football at Costa Mesa High School prior to graduating in 2001. Clever is also listed on LinkedIn and classmates.com as having graduated from CMHS in 2001.

He is scheduled to appear in court on May 6, where he will answer to the charges filed against him.

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