COSTA MESA, Calif. (April 15, 2022) – The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) is seeking the public’s assistance to identify potential additional victims of a soccer coach who was arrested yesterday for child molestation and possession of child pornography. On April 14, 2022, detectives arrested Joshua Clever, 39, Santa Ana, on suspicion of the crimes below.
Detectives have been conducting an ongoing investigation into sexual assault allegations against Clever, a youth soccer coach. During the preliminary investigation, detectives learned that over a six-month period, Clever began grooming the 14-year-old victim, Jane Doe, who was a soccer player he had access to through his employment. Clever subsequently gained private access to Jane Doe and is accused of having unlawful sexual intercourse with the victim.
The crime was ultimately reported by Jane Doe’s parents to CMPD. On April 7, 2022, detectives located Clever and he was arrested for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and lewd acts on a minor.
After Clever’s arrest, detectives discovered Clever had pornographic images of teenage girls on his cellular phone. At that time, Clever was out of custody after posting $100,000 bail on the original criminal booking charges.
On April 14, 2022, Clever was located and arrested at the 3200 block of Susan Street, Santa Ana. Clever was booked on an additional charge of possession of child pornography. Detectives are attempting to identify the juveniles in the images.
Detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying potential additional victims Clever might have had access to through his employment. The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with additional information, or who believes they have been a victim, is encouraged to contact CMPD Detective Alicia Defuria at 714-754-5364 or adefuria@costamesaca.gov or Sergeant Jose Morales at 714-754-4933.
