A Danville, Virginia man was charged with twelve felony offenses related to child exploitation after his recent arrest in New Mexico, according to a May 8 announcement from federal authorities. Jesus Diaz, 25, faces counts including production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, sexual enticement of minors, cyberstalking, and making threats to injure reputation with intent to extort.
The indictment alleges that Diaz used social media platforms to solicit nude images from minors and threatened victims with the release of prior images if they did not comply. The case began when a then-17-year-old female in Idaho reported being extorted for sexually explicit images by an individual known as “Xavier.” Investigators traced threatening communications back to an IP address in Danville associated with Diaz.
After learning Diaz would return from overseas via Atlanta’s Hartfield-Jackson International Airport, law enforcement seized digital devices upon his arrival. Searches allegedly revealed references to accounts used for harassment and sexually explicit photos of at least 25 minor females. Authorities say Diaz met victims online and coerced them into sending further images under threat.
First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Eric Weindorf announced the charges. The Department of Homeland Security is leading the investigation with assistance from multiple agencies including the Idaho Office of the Attorney General Criminal Division, City of Danville Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, United States Postal Inspection Service, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Albuquerque HSI office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Brett is prosecuting the case. The prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 that brings together federal resources to combat child exploitation crimes.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia prosecutes federal crimes and handles civil litigation for the government while partnering with law enforcement on public safety initiatives across western Virginia cities such as Roanoke and Danville according to the official website.
Authorities remind that an indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
