Dagoberto Diaz is a 48-year-old Illinois middle school teacher and girls volleyball coach who was arrested in September 2026 after authorities accused him of secretly recording a female student at Mundelein High School.
Diaz taught at Carl Sandburg Middle School and served as the girls junior varsity volleyball coach at Mundelein High School. He faces one felony count of unauthorized video recording of a juvenile after police said a forensic examination of his cellphone uncovered images and videos supporting a student’s report that Diaz had photographed or recorded her without her permission.
Lake County prosecutors subsequently alleged in court that investigators discovered upskirt images involving multiple minor victims. Diaz has not been convicted, and the allegations against him remain pending in court.
What Is Dagoberto Diaz Accused Of?
Diaz is accused of making an unauthorized recording of a female student while she performed stretching and jumping exercises at Mundelein High School.
The investigation began August 18, 2026, after the student told school officials that Diaz had brought her into a room for the exercises. She noticed Diaz holding a cellphone and saw a flash come from the phone, leading her to suspect he was photographing or recording her. [FOX 32]
The student immediately reported what happened to school staff. Administrators then contacted the Mundelein Police Department and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. [NBC Chicago]
What Charge Does Dagoberto Diaz Face?
Diaz was charged with one count of unauthorized video recording of a juvenile, a Class 3 felony in Illinois. [ABC7 Chicago]
The arrest warrant alleges that Diaz knowingly made a recording through the clothing of a child under 18 without the child’s consent for the purpose of viewing the child’s body. [Lake & McHenry County Scanner]
Although prosecutors have discussed evidence they say involves multiple minors, only one felony charge had been publicly announced against Diaz as of September 25, 2026.
What Did The Student Say Happened?
According to Mundelein police, the student said Diaz brought her into a room and had her perform stretching and jumping exercises.
While performing the exercises, she noticed Diaz holding a cellphone. She then saw a flash from the phone and became suspicious that Diaz was photographing her. [Daily Herald]
Rather than waiting to see whether anything else happened, the student went to school staff and reported her suspicions. The report prompted administrators to contact authorities and ultimately led police to examine Diaz’s phone. [CBS Chicago]
What Did Police Find On Dagoberto Diaz’s Phone?
Mundelein police seized Diaz’s cellphone and obtained a search warrant authorizing investigators to examine it.
Police said a forensic analysis uncovered several images and videos that “corroborated the student’s initial suspicion” that Diaz had been photographing or recording her. [FOX 32]
ABC7 reported that investigators found images and videos of the student on the phone. [ABC7 Chicago]
Did Police Allegedly Find Upskirt Images?
Yes. Additional details about the evidence emerged when Diaz appeared in Lake County court.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Patrick Windmoeller alleged that Diaz had taken upskirt photographs involving “multiple minor victims.” [Lake & McHenry County Scanner]
The arrest warrant specifically alleges that Diaz recorded through the clothing of a child under 18 without consent. [Lake & McHenry County Scanner]
Authorities have not publicly established the total number of minors allegedly depicted in the material, and police had announced only the single felony charge when Diaz was arrested.
Are There Multiple Alleged Victims?
Prosecutors say the evidence involves more than one minor.
During Diaz’s initial court appearance, the Lake County prosecutor referred to upskirt photographs of “multiple minor victims.” However, authorities have not publicly disclosed the number of alleged victims or announced charges corresponding to each individual. [Lake & McHenry County Scanner]
The Mundelein Police Department has asked anyone with additional information about the investigation to contact detectives. [Daily Herald]
Where Did Dagoberto Diaz Teach?
Diaz was a teacher at Carl Sandburg Middle School in Mundelein, Illinois. The school is part of Mundelein Elementary School District 75. [NBC Chicago]
His coaching position was at Mundelein High School, which is part of Mundelein High School District 120.
Both districts are overseen by Superintendent Dr. Corey Tafoya. The districts worked together after receiving the student’s report and notified police and child-protection authorities. [NBC Chicago]
What Sport Did Dagoberto Diaz Coach?
Diaz was the girls junior varsity volleyball coach at Mundelein High School when the alleged recording incident occurred. [FOX 32]
A Mundelein High School student also told CBS Chicago that Diaz had previously been his basketball coach when the student was in middle school. [CBS Chicago]
When Was Dagoberto Diaz Removed From School?
The school districts placed Diaz on administrative leave on August 18, the same day the student reported the alleged conduct.
Superintendent Tafoya said Diaz was not permitted to interact with students or enter school property after being placed on leave. [Daily Herald]
That means Diaz had already been removed from contact with students for more than a month before his September arrest.
How Was Dagoberto Diaz Arrested?
After examining Diaz’s cellphone, investigators continued gathering evidence and obtained an additional search warrant.
On September 22, Mundelein police executed a search warrant at Diaz’s home in the 100 block of West Courtland Street. Police later located and arrested him at a family member’s residence in Mundelein. [Lake & McHenry County Scanner]
Diaz was taken to the Lake County Jail and appeared in court the following morning. [Daily Herald]
Was Dagoberto Diaz Released From Jail?
Yes. Diaz was released from custody following his September 23 court appearance under pretrial conditions.
Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim and prosecutors said the charged offense was not a detainable offense under Illinois’ pretrial detention law. Diaz was consequently released pending trial rather than being held in jail. [Lake & McHenry County Scanner]
The release was not a dismissal of the charge or a ruling on whether the allegations are true. It concerned whether Diaz could legally be detained while the criminal case is pending.
What Are The Conditions Of Dagoberto Diaz’s Release?
Diaz was placed under pretrial supervision and ordered to comply with restrictions while his case proceeds.
Court-imposed conditions include no contact with the alleged victim or other minors and restrictions preventing him from going to schools, parks and daycares. He was also placed under a curfew. [CBS Chicago] [ABC7 Chicago]
Lake & McHenry County Scanner reported that the court permitted an exception involving Diaz’s own minor children. [Lake & McHenry County Scanner]
What Did Mundelein School Officials Say?
Superintendent Corey Tafoya sent a message to families and staff at Mundelein High School and Carl Sandburg Middle School after Diaz was charged.
Tafoya said the districts were deeply troubled by the allegations while praising the students who reported conduct that made them uncomfortable. The superintendent said the incident demonstrated the importance of students speaking up when something does not feel right. [Daily Herald]
The districts also provided school-based and outside crisis support and counseling resources following the arrest. [Daily Herald]
Will Dagoberto Diaz Be Fired?
The school district said it is pursuing termination of Diaz’s employment.
Tafoya said the district would take the necessary steps to terminate Diaz. He had already been placed on administrative leave immediately after the August 18 report and barred from school property. [NBC Chicago]
The district’s employment action is separate from the criminal prosecution.
When Is Dagoberto Diaz Due Back In Court?
Diaz’s next Lake County court appearance is scheduled for October 26, 2026. [Daily Herald]
He remains subject to the conditions imposed when he was released from custody while the felony case proceeds.
Are Police Seeking Information About Dagoberto Diaz?
Yes. Mundelein police have publicly asked anyone who may have additional information related to the investigation to contact the department.
Information can be provided to the Mundelein Police Department at 847-968-4600. [FOX 32]
One of the first political bloggers in the world, Oliver Willis has operated OliverWillis.com since 2000. Contributor at Media Matters for America and The American Independent. Follow on Twitter at @owillis. Full bio.