Nathaniel Ray Diaz was locked away in a remote California prison, serving time for molesting and threatening 12-year-old girl, according to court records.
But federal prosecutors say that Diaz, 21, just couldn’t stay away. He reportedly used an electronic tablet issued to California prisoners to call the now 14-year-old girl “thousands” of times, soliciting pictures and repeatedly describing things he liked about her in graphic, lewd detail.
Now, Diaz is facing federal charges of sexual exploitation of a child. It is a crime that carries a life sentence, and it means that Diaz — who was set to get out of prison in April — will likely be detained for longer.
Authorities say the charges are based on a review of Diaz’s tablets, where he allegedly contacted the girl repeatedly. This happened at Avenal State Prison, a small, low-security facility with dorm-style housing, making it easy for prisoners to interact. The nearby town, Avenal, boasts being California’s “Oasis in the Sun.”
Diaz reportedly often used another inmate’s tablet to contact the girl, telling her repeatedly he was in love with her and demanding nude or partially clothed pictures. The girl attempted to send him pictures several times, but they were rejected by prison staff who screen the digital transmissions, according to the criminal complaint.
“I’m about to go crazy. Oh my goodness, I need you. I need that picture,” Diaz said on one call.
In 2022, when Diaz was 19, he was charged with raping and threatening the girl, along with possession of child pornography. Like in this case, that prosecution was based in part between electronic messages and the victim.
In 2023, Diaz pleaded no contest to misdemeanor and felony charges, and was sentenced to three years in prison. In 2024, he allegedly began contacting the girl again, and continued to talk with her until her mother caught them and referred the incident to police, the criminal complaint says.
Authorities interviewed the girl and she gave a detailed statement, stating they were on the phone “all the time” until her mother found out, court records show. She also reportedly mentioned that Diaz met her when she was 10 and he was “17 or 18.”
Prosecutors say that Diaz had help from two unidentified co-conspirators, who lent him their tablets and were supposed to receive some pictures and give them to Diaz.
Diaz is currently housed at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, records show.