Investigation put to rest, Diaz charged for statutory rape of a child

On the evening of September 25th, 2019, a very brave ten-year-old female called 911 and said she had just been sexually assaulted and that she was home alone with the perpetrator.

Wallace PD officers immediately responded to the residence, removed the juvenile, and took custody of the suspect after finding him hiding under a bed.

The juvenile was brought to the Wallace PD and later reunited with her father. The perpetrator, Juan Fernando Gomez Diaz, 42, was detained.

After an extensive investigation, Diaz was charged with Statutory Rape of a Child and two counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child.

On October 26th, 2021, Juan Fernando Gomez Diaz pled guilty and was sentenced to 216 – 320 months in prison. He also will received lifetime sex offender registration and lifetime satellite-based monitoring.

Thankful for the Wallace Police Department and the Duplin County District Attorney’s Office for their diligence in seeking justice.