Multnomah County Corrections Deputy Indicted on Sexual Misconduct Charges

Portland, Oregon- A Multnomah County corrections deputy has been arrested and indicted on multiple charges following a months-long criminal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct involving two female adults in custody, officials announced Friday.

Edwin Diaz, 54, was indicted by a Multnomah County grand jury on Monday, June 16, and taken into custody on Thursday, June 19. He was booked into the Columbia County Jail and was arraigned Friday, June 20, in Multnomah County Circuit Court.

Diaz faces a total of 25 charges, including three counts of sexual abuse in the second degree, three counts of custodial sexual misconduct in the first degree, two counts of custodial sexual misconduct in the second degree, and 17 counts of official misconduct in the first degree.

The investigation began in October 2024, when a Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) detective received an anonymous note from an adult in custody alleging that Diaz had engaged in inappropriate conduct with female inmates. Diaz was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

To ensure impartiality, the MCSO detective brought the information to the Portland Police Bureau, which led the criminal investigation with the support of the sheriff’s office.

Initially, only one alleged victim had been identified, but she could not be located at the time for an interview, and there was insufficient evidence to file charges.

That changed in March 2025, when the woman returned to custody and was interviewed. Investigators used surveillance video and witness statements to corroborate her account. Around the same time, the Oregon Department of Corrections submitted a separate report to the sheriff’s office, identifying a second alleged victim.

Detectives determined the alleged criminal conduct spanned several months in 2024.

Officials believe there may be additional victims. In accordance with Oregon House Bill 3273(1)(c), MCSO has released Diaz’s booking photo in an effort to identify other potential victims or criminal activity.

“I am deeply troubled by the allegations against Edwin Diaz,” said Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell. “Individuals in our custody are entrusted to our care, and it is our duty and responsibility to ensure that they are always treated with dignity and respect. Any abuse of power by those in positions of authority, such as the conduct Diaz is accused of, not only causes direct harm, but also undermines the integrity of our organization and is a violation of public trust. I commend the victims for their courage in coming forward. We are committed to full accountability and transparency, and I trust the criminal justice system to pursue these allegations with the seriousness it demands.”

Following Diaz’s arrest, the sheriff’s office placed him on unpaid administrative leave in accordance with internal policies and procedures.

The case is being prosecuted by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities said no further information will be released at this time, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.