A regional Boy Scouts of America official released a statement and then responded in an interview following the arrest of Joseph Alvarado, a Hollister emergency medical services specialist booked on suspicion of sexually assaulting two teenage boys between 2002 and 2005.
Alvarado, 42, was an adult volunteer with a local Boy Scouts troop and through the organization also advised the fire department’s Career Explorer Program this past summer. Sheriff’s detectives arrested him Thursday following allegations that surfaced within the past week, according to a sheriff’s office spokesman.
The Boy Scouts’ statement from Margaret Caldwell, director of development for the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council, reads as follows:
“Upon learning of of the arrest of Joseph Alvarado for allegations of sexual assault of two minors, the Boy Scouts of America immediately revoked Alvarado’s registration as an adult volunteer with the local Hollister Boy Scout Troop and Hollister Fire Department Career Explorer Post. The alleged behavior runs counter to everything for which the Boy Scouts of America stands. As leaders in the Boy Scouts, our thoughts go out to the victims and their families during this difficult time. Currently we are not aware of any the alleged abuses by Alvarado taking place as part of the Scouting program or with any Scouts. All families in the Scouting programs with which Alvarado was associated are being contacted and encouraged to come forward with any information they may have. The two-deep leadership requirement of the mandatory Youth Protection program of the Boy Scouts prohibits any adult from one on one contact with a child who is not their own. We are confident that the programs in which Alvarado was involved maintained these policies.
We recognize that parents entrust the development and safety of their children to Scouting and these allegations remind us how important it is that we are always vigilant when it comes to the safety of our youth. We also believe incidents such as these should serve as a reminder of the need for parents to talk with their children about the subject of youth protection. Keeping an open dialogue between parent and child—no matter what their age—is a vital part of keeping them safe. The subject can be uncomfortable, but parents must speak to their children about these issues. Parents or anyone who would like additional resources regarding the subject of youth protection, please visit www.Scouting.org and click on the Youth Protection tab, as it provides important information about detecting and preventing abuse, no matter where it may occur.”
In a follow-up interview, Caldwell said Alvarado was registered as an assistant scout master but she was unsure of the troop number locally. She said he had been removed from the post as of Friday morning.
She confirmed Alvarado had been associated with the Boy Scouts since 2010 and had two children involved in the organization. Boy Scouts generally range from ages 11 to 18, Caldwell said.
San Benito County Sheriff’s detectives on Thursday morning arrested Alvarado on allegations of the sexual assaults of two teenage boys between 2002 and 2005. He has been booked at the county jail while charged on suspicion of multiple felonies, according to a sheriff’s office statement. The arrest occurred in the 1000 block of El Toro Drive.
His bail Thursday was set at $1.75 million, according to the district attorney, Candice Hooper.
One victim was age 15 at the time of the suspected incident. The other was between 15 and 17 at the time.
Assisting the sheriff’s office in the investigation were San Jose police and the FBI. The sheriff’s office urges other potential victims to step forward and call the agency at (831) 636-4080 or the anonymous tip line at 636-4080.
