State employee charged with Illegal video of UT students
AUSTIN, Texas - All the incidents allegedly took place in the shadow of UT's iconic Clock Tower on Oct. 25.
UT Police got involved after receiving a report that a man was spotted following a student with a camera. That camera, according to UT police Sgt. Samantha Stanford, was recording images up the co-ed's skirt.
"We know people like this, they don’t do it one time, there might be multiple occasions where they've done this to other females," Sgt Stanford said.
Alfredo Diaz,54, was the man who was caught. He is charged with Invasive Visual Recording and at the time of his arrest FOX 7 has confirmed he was an employee with the State Bar of Texas.
A spokesperson with the State Bar of Texas tells FOX 7 that Diaz was the Design Manager for it’s Texas Bar Continuing Legal Education.
According to court documents, when first confronted Diaz tried to get away by flashing his state identification card. As he left, the boyfriend of the alleged victim followed Diaz.
"He chose to take action that day, he stayed at a safe distance, kept eyes on the subject, didn't interact with him in any dangerous way, and called police and let us take it over from there," Sgt. Stanford.
Diaz allegedly used a go-pro camera. It was attached to a personal water container in order to reach under skirts. Investigators said they have recovered 50 minutes of video of six other women.
An alert was posted on UTPD's Facebook page in an attempt to locate those women to provide them with counseling, if needed, and to build the felony case. Diaz has bonded out of jail, and if he comes back on campus university police will charge him with criminal trespass.
"Most of the time I do feel safe on campus, but every week now I hear something new and I dont know if its a place I feel safe anymore, and its pretty upsetting,” said UT Student Raquel Henkin.
Other students said the campus is pretty safe, but on the outskirts it is not. Beanna Margo told FOX 7 she has taken steps to provide her own protection.
"I don't necessarily feel unsafe, I arm myself and have a pepper spray," said Margo.
Several security cameras on campus have helped with this latest case. Investigators said the cameras recorded video of Alfredo Diaz following women the day the alleged incidents took place.
Below are the descriptions of the women UTPD wants to locate;
-White or Hispanic female with long dark hair wearing a long-sleeve denim shirt, white shorts with a pink floral pattern, and black leather boots with black laces. This individual was carrying a gray backpack with gray stripes and a teal stripe down the center with a matching teal keychain or pouch. The backpack had a white and teal plastic water bottle in a side pocket.
-White female, approximately 5'6 with brown/blonde hair in a ponytail. This individual was wearing a purple dress with an orange diamond pattern that stops above the knee, a navy blue knit sweater, black pointed-toe flats, eye glasses, and a black watch on the left wrist. This individual was carrying a dark red Jansport backpack and a large smartphone in a grey case.
-White female, approximately 5'5 with short shaved dark hair. This individual was wearing a dark red chino skirt that stops above the knee, a gray long-sleeve sweater, tan sneakers and black hosiery with a cat design, with glasses on top of her head. This individual was wearing a black ‘Hot Style’ canvas backpack with brown leather trim and multiple heart-shaped buttons featuring animated characters and four small circle-shaped buttons, one displaying the words ‘nerf this’.
-White female with blonde hair in a bun, wearing peach colored sneakers, a black and white striped dress, and a green backpack with gold or yellow pattern.
-White female with brown/blonde hair. This individual was wearing multi colored shorts with white pom-pom edges, a gray sweatshirt, and white sneakers with white shoelaces. This individual was also carrying a red and yellow ‘Marines.com’ lanyard with a red mace keychain.
-White female with brown/blonde hair, wearing a long gray knit sweater, tan ankle booties, carrying a backpack with a leather bottom and gray triangle pattern.
If you believe you may have had contact with the suspect or have if you have any information, please contact:
Sergeant Samantha Stanford
512-471-8523