A Bronx man who prosecutors say spent years targeting Spanish-speaking immigrant women on the subway has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Court documents state that he offered women work, then sexually assaulted them after luring them into isolated rooms in Lower Manhattan, including inside a Pearl Street building. The defendant, identified as Agustin Diaz, admitted to rape, sexual abuse and stalking as part of a plea agreement, according to court filings. Advocates say the case highlights how language barriers and fears around immigration status can be used to silence survivors.
How prosecutors say he worked
Prosecutors say Diaz approached recently arrived, Spanish-speaking women on subway cars and platforms, offered them jobs and handed out business cards before setting up meetings in downtown offices, according to AP News. In several cases, he allegedly steered women into basements or empty rooms and assaulted them. Prosecutors say he held at least one victim at knifepoint and threatened others with deportation if they reported what happened. The indictment, they note, laid out a repeated pattern of exploitation aimed at people who thought they were getting legitimate work.
Plea and sentence
Court records show Diaz pleaded guilty to rape, sexual abuse and stalking and received a 15-year state prison sentence, according to PIX11. Prosecutors told the court that the plea resolves allegations involving multiple victims over several years and that Diaz used supposed job opportunities to isolate and attack women. Filings also say at least two victims were warned they would be deported if they went to the police.
Timeline of reported attacks
According to court documents, the incidents stretch back to May 2018, when prosecutors say Diaz lured a woman to an empty Wall Street office and raped her twice. Additional alleged attacks in August and September 2023 took place in a Pearl Street building after women were told they would be packing candy and snack bags. An April 2024 struggle left both a victim and Diaz needing treatment at a hospital. Those details emerged when prosecutors first indicted Diaz in January 2025.
What the DA said
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg described Diaz’s conduct as a “predatory cycle of targeting Spanish-speaking women who needed jobs, and then sexually assaulting them,” according to court papers cited by PIX11. The DA’s office said the investigation remains open and urged any additional survivors or witnesses to come forward.
Legal details
Diaz was charged in an indictment with offenses including first-degree rape, sexual abuse and stalking, as previously reported by AP News. The 15-year sentence reflects the plea agreement and the severity of the conduct laid out in court filings. Prosecutors said they intend to seek restitution for victims and will continue pursuing leads to identify anyone else who may have been harmed.
Help and reporting
When prosecutors first announced the case, the Manhattan DA’s office set up a dedicated tip line and released contact details for potential victims and witnesses. Anyone with information can call the DA’s tip line at 212-335-9793 or contact prosecutors directly, according to reporting that detailed how to reach the office.
The sentence gives some measure of accountability in what prosecutors describe as a years-long campaign of exploitation. Advocates say the case underlines the need for outreach, trusted hotlines and language-accessible services so survivors can report abuse without fear.
