The Willow Glen Resident

Teacher faces new charges in child-molestation investigation

By Christine Frey

A freelance music teacher who taught at Willow Glen Elementary School is facing new charges in an ongoing child-molestation investigation.

Michael Welsey Briseno, 36, was arrested on June 12 and charged with 16 felony counts of lewd and lascivious behavior. Last month, another count of molestation was added to his list of charges, this one dating back to 1991 and involving a then 13-year-old boy he taught at his music studio in Saratoga.

He was hit with seven additional child-molestation charges at an Aug. 5 court appearance. The 24 alleged incidents involve six victims.

According to Deputy District Attorney Dana Overstreet, six of the charges brought against Briseno last week involve two new victims: a 13-year-old boy and a 5 1/2-year-old boy. Briseno taught both at his apartment on the 600 block of S. Seventh Street in San Jose. The 13-year-old also took lessons from Briseno at San Jose State University.

Briseno, who taught at Willow Glen Elementary School from November 1997 to March 1998, is alleged to have performed oral sex and other sexual acts with three boys ranging in age from 10 to 14 at his apartment between June 1997 and March 1998.

Briseno is currently in custody in county jail on $1.5 million bail. He is scheduled to enter a plea on Aug. 26. According to Overstreet, if Briseno is convicted, he could receive a maximum jail sentence of 75 years to life.

Briseno's lawyer, Thomas Salciccia, said his client is hoping to overcome the current situation. "All I can say is that he knows he has a problem and that he wants to get it behind him," Salciccia said. "They've loaded the hot gun with everything they could put in it, and he wants to get well and adjusted to live in society again."

A March police report of a possible child molestation prompted police to investigate Briseno. On June 8, after spending the last three months in Mexico, Briseno voluntarily turned himself in to the Santa Clara County Department of Correction.

Overstreet said the investigation is continuing. If additional charges are found, they could be brought against Briseno at his Aug. 26 court appearance.

During an interview about his music program last spring, Briseno told The Resident he was providing Willow Glen Elementary with music lessons through the Silicon Valley Youth Conservatory, a program of San Jose State University. He taught students in all grades, but primarily kindergartners, how to play the recorder.

Anyone who has information about the case is encouraged to contact San Jose Police Sgt. Ted Marfia or Det. Steve McEwan at 277-4102. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 947-STOP.

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