Gainesville Teacher Diaz Jailed for 60 Years in Child Porn Case

Former School Teacher Sentenced to 60 Years for Producing Child Pornography

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Joseph Michael Diaz, 32, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Maurice M. Paul to 60 years in federal prison for producing child pornography. The sentence was announced by Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

In September 2014, Diaz pled guilty to two counts of enticing and coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography. Diaz’s offense came to light when a child told his parents that he had been involved in an inappropriate sexual relationship with the defendant. Diaz was a private swim coach and a teacher at High Springs Community School. Investigators subsequently identified multiple children who had been sexually abused by the defendant.

Diaz’s cell phones and computer hard drive contained numerous images of the sexual abuse of the children, all of whom were under 16 years of age. Investigators conducted a forensic examination of the phones, computer, and images, identifying the location and time that each of the videos was created. The abuse occurred over a period of several years.

In addition to the prison sentence, Diaz was ordered to pay $78,000 in restitution to each of his eight victims. United States Attorney Marsh praised the work of the Gainesville Police Department and the Child Advocacy Center. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Frank Williams and Gregory McMahon.

“The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is committed to prosecuting child predators,” said United States Attorney Marsh. “Children are the most vulnerable and innocent members of our district, and it is especially tragic that someone serving as a coach and teacher abused his position of trust in our community.”