Sex abuse charges dropped for ex-Prahran High School worker Albert Diaz as visa expires

A former Prahran High School support worker accused of grooming and inappropriately touching female students is free to leave the country after criminal justice visa red tape delayed his case.

Former Prahran High School education support officer Albert Diaz. Picture: LinkedIn

A youth worker who allegedly locked female students in a classroom and called them “beautiful” as he inappropriately touched them, is no longer facing child sexual offence charges because his visa expires before the court can properly hear his case.

Former Prahran High School education support officer Albert Diaz will be able to leave the country without these alleged offences being tried in court, thanks to “lengthy time frames involved with seeking authorisation for special criminal justice visas”.

This is despite Victoria Police charging him with sexual offences relating to grooming of a child and inappropriate physical contact with a child early last year, after concerns were raised he was allegedly taking advantage of female students.

According to the mother of one of the alleged victims, Mr Diaz allegedly isolated female students in classrooms with “doors closed and lights off” and touched their thighs, legs and hair while calling them “beautiful”.

He also added them on social media, offered to take them to night clubs and allegedly showed them sexual content before asking them for similar material, she alleged.

The mum claims at least three female students were targeted, with the incidents occurring between October and December 2023.

Mr Diaz fronted a magistrate four times between November 2024 and July 2025. Picture: LinkedIn

Mr Diaz’s employment at the school ended in January 2024, with the school later sending a letter to families informing them he had been charged and the matter was before the courts.

Mr Diaz fronted a magistrate four times between November 2024 and July 2025.

But authorities decided to withdraw charges last Thursday because Mr Diaz’s current visa was about to expire.

In an email sent to one of the alleged victims’ mother, seen by the Herald Sun, a supervising lawyer for Victoria Police said it was likely Mr Diaz would be placed into immigration detention and deported before the government would consider an application for a criminal justice visa.

“Even in the event that Victoria Police did attempt to make the application, there is no certainty that the government would grant it,” the email said.

“Considering this … there were ultimately two options: withdraw the charges at this point noting that we do not have an obligation to advise the court of our reasons.

“(Or) let the accused be deported and seek a warrant at court. Noting the accused will most likely never return to Australia, the warrant will essentially be outstanding forever.

“If this route was taken, any presiding magistrate would be critical. As we discussed, this will not be the route taken by Victoria Police.”

Mr Diaz’s employment at Prahran High School ended in January 2024.

A criminal justice visa would have allowed Mr Diaz to remain in Australia for the duration of the legal proceedings.

The alleged victim’s distraught mother said she now feels helpless.

“This has had an extreme impact on my daughter. Her grades have dropped, she’s in bed all day. She’s suffering from anxiety and depression and doesn’t want to go see a counsellor because he was one.

“And the second-hand guilt is probably worse than anything I’ve ever felt.”

According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Diaz worked as a childcare counsellor in Massachusetts before he came to Melbourne in March 2020 to study psychology at Monash University.

He was also a teacher in Spain, a 911 police dispatcher and volunteered at YMCA in Boston where he planned and supervised sports and recreational events for children and teenagers.

A Victoria Police spokesman confirmed officers investigated reports of a sexual assault and inappropriate behaviour which allegedly occurred at the school between November and December 2023.

“A 34-year-old US national, who was residing in Altona at the time, was interviewed and charged in relation to the matter,” he said.

“The charges were withdrawn last week following consideration as to whether there was a reasonable prospect of conviction. Public interest factors were also considered.

“Victoria Police engaged with the complainant and her representatives at the time to inform them of the decision.”

The Department of Home Affairs was contacted for comment, while Mr Diaz could not be reached for comment.