Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Crimes Against Children Unit

Prudencio James Diaz (Arrested)
DOB: 08/11/1951
Address: 19015 Portofino Drive, Tampa, Florida
Charges: Two counts of Sexual Battery- Child Under 12 years old and two counts of Sexual Battery- Child 12 or older but under 18 years old.

The male victim was between the ages of nine and 13-years-old at the time of the incidents. Per Florida Statute 119.071, no further information will be released that would tend to identify the victim.

What:
Pinellas detectives have charged a Tampa man with two counts of Sexual Battery- Child Under 12 years old and two counts of Sexual Battery- Child 12 or older but under 18 years old.

When:
The crimes occurred between January 1992 and January 1995.

Where:
The crimes occurred in various locations in Pinellas County and Hillsborough County.

Why/How:.

Pinellas detectives have charged a Tampa man with two counts of Sexual Battery- Child Under 12 years old and two counts of Sexual Battery- Child 12 or older but under 18 years old.

Detectives began their investigation on May 23, 2019, after receiving information from the victim regarding years of sexual abuse by 67-year-old Prudencio Diaz. The reported sexual battery occurred when the victim was nine-years old through 13-years-old at various locations in Pinellas County and Hillsborough County.

According to detectives, the victim’s mother met Diaz, who lived in Hillsborough County, through a newspaper dating platform in 1992 or 1993. After a few months, Diaz became more involved in their lives and he began to spoil the mother and the victim with dinner, movies and sporting events.

Detectives say the victim was about nine-years-old when the relationship first started.

Approximately two months after Diaz met the victim’s mother, Diaz began an inappropriate sexual relationship with the victim which progressed into Diaz performing oral sex on the victim. The victim informed detectives the abuse became “routine” and often occurred a few times a week until he was approximately 13-years-old.  On one occasion, Diaz had the victim perform anal sex on him.

Through various investigative techniques, detectives were able to corroborate the victim’s statements.

On June 18, 2019, Diaz was interviewed by Pinellas detectives at the Sheriff’s Administration Building, located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo. During the interview, Diaz admitted to the victim’s allegations of sexual abuse.

Diaz was arrested without incident and transported to the Pinellas County Jail.

Diaz was charged with two counts of Sexual Battery- Child Under 12 years old and two counts of Sexual Battery- Child 12 or older but under 18 years old.

Anyone who has information regarding this case or believes they have been a victim are asked to contact Detective Geoghegan of the Crimes Against Children Unit at (727) 582-5662.

The investigation continues.