A former Sanford police officer was taken into custody, and the chief described his conduct as “vile, disgusting, and repulsive.”
One officer told the Sanford Police Department that Pedro Enrique Da Silva, the School Resource Officer at Seminole High School, was communicating inappropriately with a student.
Chief Cecil Smith met with DaSilva immediately after receiving the information and removed him from his post as School Resource Officer. He also terminated his employment with the Sanford Police Department. The Sanford Police Department’s Investigations Section subsequently launched a criminal inquiry.
The Seminole County School Board assisted in conducting the investigation. The inquiry revealed that Da Silva had several inappropriate interactions with a 17-year-old female student while serving as the School Resource Officer. These encounters occurred between October 2025 and December 17, 2025. During one conversation, Da Silva made a crude statement to the woman before taking out his phone and showing her several intimate photos of himself. Surveillance footage supported this conversation.
Regarding the arrest, Chief Cecil Smith stated, “The officer coming forward identified that there was an issue or concern and reported it immediately. This is an example of what I expect from every single one of my officers. This man’s actions can be described as nothing but vile, disgusting, and repulsive. This type of conduct will not be tolerated. His duty was to protect the children on that campus, and instead he acted as a predator, using his position to manipulate and attempt to groom a 17-year-old child. He is a husband and a parent himself. How sickening is his conduct? To be clear, he is a predator; the worst type of criminal.”
Sanford Police Investigators charged Da Silva with one offense of Written Solicitation of Certain Minors to Commit a Lewd or Lascivious Act, one count of Sex Offense Authority Figure Solicit Engage Sexual Conduct with Student, and one count of Obscene Materials—Show Obscene Material to a Minor. Da Silva was detained without incident and transported to the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Central Florida.
“We are thankful for the quick and decisive action taken by the Sanford Police Department to remove this individual from his duty as soon as allegations of inappropriate communication and conduct with a student were reported,” said Seminole County Public Schools Superintendent Serita D. Beamon. “We will continue to fully cooperate with this investigation and encourage any student or staff member who may have information relevant to this case to come forward.”
Da Silva had worked as a police officer for the Sanford Police Department since June 2024. He served as a School Resource Officer at Seminole High School from July 28 to December 17, 2025.
Investigators are requesting that anybody with additional information about these occurrences or who may have had inappropriate encounters with Da Silva contact the Sanford Police Department or Crimeline at 800 423-TIPS (8477) or visit Crimeline.
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