CASE UPDATE: Palm Coast Man Convicted for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material
BUNNELL, Fla. — Andrew Da Silva, 25, of Palm Coast, who was arrested by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Cyber Crimes/ICAC Unit in May 2025 following a seven-month joint investigation with the Northeast Florida Inter-Agency Child Exploitation and Persons Task Force, has been convicted and sentenced.
On March 4, Da Silva pleaded guilty to 12 counts of possession of sexual performance by a child, which were enhanced under Florida law. Following Da Silva’s plea agreement, Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols sentenced him to five years in a Florida Department of Corrections prison, followed by 10 years of sex offender probation. Da Silva will also be required to register as a sex offender.
“Our detectives and partners at the State Attorney’s Office secured guilty pleas and convictions for two perverts on the same day,” said Sheriff Rick Staly, referring to the conviction of Amias Mabini for possession of child sexual abuse material just hours before Da Silva. “They continue to do excellent work making sure that these perverts see prison time and mandated sex offender treatments, and we will continue to go after anyone who preys on children.”
Da Silva was arrested following a search warrant at his house, during which detectives seized child sexual abuse material he had been sharing and storing on the messaging app Kik Messenger.
Da Silva is currently being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility awaiting transfer to FDC custody.
Original Release Date: May 21, 2025
Original Release #: 2025 – 088
FCSO Arrests Palm Coast Pervert for Possession and Transmission of Child Pornography
BUNNELL, Fla. — On May 20, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from federal, state, and local partners through the Northeast Florida Inter-Agency Child Exploitation and Persons Trafficking Task Force (INTERCEPT), served a search warrant at 108 Woodhaven Drive in Palm Coast, resulting in one arrest and the seizure of child sexual abuse material. The search warrant was the culmination of a seven-month investigation.
In October 2024, the FCSO Cyber Crimes/ICAC Unit began an investigation following a tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children regarding child sexual abuse material being shared by a user on the messaging app Kik Messenger. Through investigative means, detectives identified the user as Andrew Da Silva, 24, of Palm Coast. During the investigation, detectives documented over 70 instances in which Da Silva possessed, viewed, or transmitted child sexual abuse material.
On the morning of May 20, members of the FCSO Cyber Crimes/ICAC Unit, Digital Forensics Unit, Crime Scene Investigations Unit, and SWAT team, along with members of NEFL INTERCEPT, served a search warrant at Da Silva’s residence. During the search, Digital Forensics Unit detectives and K-9 Birdie, the FCSO’s electronic storage detection dog, located multiple communication and storage devices.
Detectives arrested Da Silva for possession, control, or intentional viewing of child pornography. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held on a $250,000 bond.
Andrew Da Silva (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mugshot)
“For the second time in one week, our detectives put a disgusting pervert behind bars. I want to commend and thank everyone involved in this case for their hard work putting this guy in the Green Roof Inn where he belongs,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “If you are doing anything to victimize children, we will work to find you and put you in jail.”
The FCSO joined NEFL INTERCEPT, a collaborative task force dedicated to eliminating child exploitation and human trafficking, in April. In addition to FCSO, NEFL INTERCEPT is comprised of investigators and analysts from Northeast Florida law enforcement agencies including the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Homeland Security Investigations.
NEFL INTERCEPT is built on a partnership with Operation Lightshine, a non-profit organization committed to providing law enforcement with resources and support to enhance criminal investigations capabilities, rescue victims, and hold offenders accountable. This multidisciplinary collaboration provides law enforcement agencies with advanced technology, forensic capabilities, subject matter experts, and other resources to achieve the task force’s mission. ###