NEW YORK — A Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York investigation has resulted in the arrest of a Bronx man for his alleged possession of child sexual abuse material.
HSI New York acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan and Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced Juan Tomas Diaz, 46, was charged with one count of possessing child pornography. Diaz was presented Aug. 14 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave.
“As alleged, Juan Tomas Diaz was found to have been in possession of over 100 images and videos of child pornography at his home mere steps from a daycare. Every parent's worst nightmare, the defendant had access to a childcare facility where toddlers’ and young adolescents’ loved ones expected they would be safe. This arrest underscores the urgency of our commitment to collaborate with our partners in the relentless fight of safeguarding our communities,” said Keegan. “I commend HSI New York's Child Exploitation Investigations Team and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York for confronting this alarming reality directly.”
Keegan praised the outstanding collaboration of U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, and the New York City Police Department.
“As alleged, Juan Tomas Diaz, who had access to and lived in the same building as a daycare run by a family member, possessed at least one hundred images of child pornography. Among those were graphic videos and images of children, ranging from infants to young teenagers, being raped and engaging in other sexual conduct. Our investigation into Diaz is ongoing, and we urge anyone with information about Diaz’s conduct to call HSI at 877-4-HSI-TIP,” said Williams. “We will continue to tirelessly work together with our law enforcement partners to detect predators and protect our community’s children.”
According to the investigation, Diaz lives in a basement apartment in the Bronx, located below a daycare. Eleven children are currently enrolled at the daycare. Diaz has access to the daycare, which is run by a family member of Diaz.
On or about Aug. 13, federal agents executed a judicially authorized search warrant of Diaz’s apartment. Pursuant to that warrant, federal agents seized and searched Diaz’s phone, which was found to contain what appears to be over 100 images of child pornography. Diaz, after waiving his Miranda rights and signing a written Miranda consent form, voluntarily spoke to law enforcement and admitted to having viewed videos and images of minors engaged in sexual activity.
Diaz is charged with one count of possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
If you believe you have information pertaining to suspected child exploitation, please call the HSI Tip Line by dialing 877-4-HSI-TIP.