Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Erin Keegan, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations ("HSI"), announced that JUAN TOMAS DIAZ was arrested yesterday and charged with one count of possessing child pornography. DIAZ will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: "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 1-877-4-HSI-TIP. We will continue to tirelessly work together with our law enforcement partners to detect predators and protect our community's children."

Acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan said: "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. 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."

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint:[1]

DIAZ lives in a basement apartment in the Bronx, located below a daycare. 11 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 August 13, 2024, 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 waving 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, 46, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with one count of possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI.

This case is being handled by the Office's General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Phillips is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.