A deputy from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office has been taken into custody following allegations that he attempted to meet a girl he thought was 15 years old at a movie theater, according to police reports. The incident unfolded in Delray Beach, Florida, where law enforcement officials responded to a tip leading to the arrest of Christopher Diaz, a 50-year-old officer.
Sting Operation Unveils Alleged Misconduct
The arrest stemmed from a sting orchestrated by 561 Predator Catchers, a group that identifies and confronts individuals suspected of predatory behavior. In this case, the group arranged for an adult woman to pose as a minor online, using the alias Olsen in official documents. Diaz allegedly matched with Olsen on multiple dating apps just two days before their in-person meeting, as detailed in an affidavit reviewed by the Daily Mail.
Escalating Communications and In-Person Encounter
After connecting on the apps, Diaz reportedly moved the conversation to iMessages, where Olsen informed him she was 15 years old. Despite this disclosure, Diaz allegedly disregarded her age and engaged in sexually charged communications. The affidavit states that he masturbated during Facetime calls with Olsen on multiple occasions, further intensifying the inappropriate interactions.
When they met at Ipic Theaters in Delray Beach, Diaz's behavior allegedly became more aggressive. He immediately touched Olsen's face and expressed a desire to kiss her, according to the report. Despite her repeated refusals, Diaz allegedly touched her upper chest over her clothing, prompting Olsen to feel uneasy and step outside the theater.
Confrontation and Arrest
Outside the theater, Diaz was confronted by Dustin Lampros, the creator of 561 Predator Catchers, and Russian YouTuber Vitaly Zdorovetskiy. Lampros, who is also an MMA fighter, livestreamed the encounter on Kick, during which Diaz admitted to knowing the teen girl, working as a police officer with Miami-Dade, and sending her a picture of his penis. When questioned about meeting a teenager, Diaz claimed he was hoping she was actually 18, to which Lampros retorted, asking if he was taking a chance on becoming a pedophile.
Diaz was subsequently arrested by police and booked into Palm Beach County Jail on a misdemeanor charge of battery touching or striking. During his first court appearance, he was ordered not to contact the victim and posted a $1,000 bond, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for February 20.
Department Response and Termination
In response to the arrest, Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz of the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office condemned Diaz's alleged actions and announced his immediate termination. In a statement posted on X, she expressed outrage over the betrayal of trust and emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable for those sworn to protect the community. Diaz has been relieved of duty without pay, and termination proceedings have begun.
When contacted by the Daily Mail, Diaz did not respond to calls, and the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office has not provided further comment. This case highlights ongoing concerns about misconduct within law enforcement and the role of vigilante groups in exposing alleged predators.
