Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Jim Henderson
According to authorities, Diaz was the victim’s choir director at Presentation of Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Jamaica.
By Forum Staff
Authorities have charged a 69-year-old choir director with sexually abusing one of his private music students during her piano and voice lessons.
The child is and 11-year-old female and was assaulted in her home on repeated occasions beginning in 2013 and extending into 2014.
“Instead of being a role model to all of his students, the defendant is accused of taking advantage of his position as a church choir director to gain access to a young child for his own sexual gratification,” said DA Richard Brown. “These are deeply disturbing allegations that, if proven true, are deserving of severe punishment.”
The DA asked that any individuals who feel that they have been victimized by the defendant call his Special Victims Bureau at 718-286-6505.
The defendant is identified as Rafael A. Diaz, 69, of 89th Avenue in Jamaica. Diaz, who was the victim’s choir director at Presentation of Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Queens, as well as being her private singing and piano teacher, was arraigned on Sunday, January 15, 2017, on a charge of second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child.
According to the criminal charges, Diaz placed his hand over the clothing of the now 15-year-old girl and touched her breasts on multiple occasions as he gave her piano and singing lessons inside her home between January 1, 2013, and June 15, 2014. Additionally, Diaz allegedly placed his hand between the victim’s legs and touched her genitals over her shorts while speaking to her about not having children at a young age during this same period of time. Finally, it is alleged that after the victim told her father what allegedly occurred, he and Diaz had a controlled telephone conversation in which Diaz allegedly admitted that he touched the daughter and that it happened five or six times but that it ended when the piano and singing lessons stopped.
If convicted, Diaz faces up to seven years in prison.
