A Norwalk man is facing a sweeping federal case after prosecutors said he pretended to be a teenager on Snapchat and pressured children to send sexually explicit photos and videos. Authorities allege the scheme reached nine victims, ages 9 to 16, in several states between June and October 2024. The defendant, 28-year-old Antonio Diaz Jr., has pleaded not guilty at his initial federal court appearance and remains in custody without bond. His trial is set for July 13 before U.S. District Judge Wesley L. Hsu.
Indictment details
Prosecutors say the federal indictment runs 22 counts and, according to their filing, includes three counts of sexual exploitation of a child, four counts of attempted sexual exploitation, three counts of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, four counts of attempted enticement and eight counts of receipt of child pornography. Diaz allegedly used several online aliases while talking with victims, including “tonyofwgktaa,” “Supremetony6,” “Tonysup96” and “Tonysup12.” Investigators say the victims were located in California, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Vermont, according to NBC Los Angeles.
Federal crackdown on social-media grooming
Cases involving adults posing as minors on popular apps have become a priority for federal prosecutors under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California has brought a series of similar cases, including one from May in which a defendant who posed as a teenage Instagram user received a 540-month sentence. Prosecutors have pointed to that case as an example of how aggressively they are pursuing online enticement and child exploitation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California detailed that prosecution in a public release.
What the charges mean
The counts in the Diaz indictment are all federal felonies aimed at people accused of coercing, enticing or soliciting sexually explicit material from minors. Prosecutors say the slate of charges reflects a broader effort to protect children who spend time on social platforms. As in any criminal case, the allegations in the indictment are accusations, and Diaz is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at trial. How the government ultimately presents its case will become clearer as pretrial motions and filings come in. NBC Los Angeles reported on Diaz’s initial appearance and the charge breakdown.
Resources for parents
Families who suspect a child has been contacted or coerced online are urged to call local law enforcement and file a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline, which can help preserve digital evidence and connect cases with investigators. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline also provides information on sextortion, managing privacy settings and other steps parents and caregivers can take to help keep kids safer online.
