NJ Woman Filmed The Rape Of Teen Girl, Prosecutors Say

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A Warren County woman is facing sexual assault charges after an investigation revealed her involvement in a teenage girl’s rape nearly 20 years ago, officials said.

Esther Silva, 65, from Knowlton Township, Warren County, was arrested last week after she was discovered to have filmed and participated in a teenage girl’s rape in 2007, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.

In July, Paterson police received evidence that a 15 to 16-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted in 2007.

An investigation by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit revealed that Silva had recorded video of a man, who has since died, raping the teenager, officials said.

Investigators added that on “several occasions,” Silva participated in the assault of the victim.

Silva was arrested on Wednesday and faces several charges of varying degrees, including conspiracy to commit aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

She is being held in the Hudson County Jail to await court proceedings.

If convicted, the 65-year-old could be sent to prison for several decades, and would be required to serve at least 85 percent of her term.