A Miami-Dade deputy accused of trying to meet a minor in Delray Beach was arrested on Friday, records showed.
Christopher Diaz was charged with battery, Palm Beach jail records showed.
According to Delray Beach Police, an officer arrived at the IPIC Theaters after receiving reports of a man who traveled to meet with a minor and engage in lascivious acts.
An arrest report said that a sergeant at the scene detained the man and took his handgun, which was on his waistline.
When the officer spoke with the victim, she said she matched with Diaz on two different dating apps, the report said. The victim then told Diaz to text her, and while they were texting, she told him she was 15 years old.
Diaz, the report said, disregarded the fact that she was a minor and continued talking with her, and their conversations became sexual. The two would also FaceTime.
On Friday, the victim, who was posing as a 15-year-old girl, agreed to meet Diaz at the theater, the report said. When they met, the victim said Diaz started touching her face and her upper chest while she said no.
The two then went outside the theater, and the victim’s group, “561 Predator Catchers,” confronted Diaz, the report said.
561 Predator Catchers will pose as minors and try to meet up with adults.
In a livestream video on the social media platform Kick, three men confronted another man who said he was a police officer in Miami-Dade.
Diaz was then taken into custody.
Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz released the following statement:
“Lieutenant Christopher Diaz of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office was arrested by Delray Beach Police Department as a result of a criminal investigation.”
“I am outraged by the arrest of one of my deputies on criminal charges involving alleged contact with an individual who posed as a minor.”
This behavior is unacceptable and represents a serious betrayal of the oath we swear and the trust our community places in us to protect our children.”
Upon being notified, I immediately ordered that the deputy be relieved of duty. Our agency has no tolerance for this behavior and we are fully cooperating with the criminal investigation.”
MDSO said they have started termination proceedings for Diaz, and he was relieved of duty without pay.
“After reviewing the law-enforcement information related to this case, I have directed that termination proceedings begin immediately. The deputy has been relieved of duty without pay, effective immediately.”
