Social media influencer Ray Diaz was arrested by Los Angeles police Friday on suspicion of sexual assault — with his underage ex-girlfriend claiming Diaz physically and emotionally abused her.
The 33-year-old self-described entrepreneur — who has 3 million followers on Instagram — was arrested by LAPD detectives in San Diego at 5 a.m. before the charges were announced shortly after midnight Saturday.
“After a thorough investigation, LAPD detectives from the elite Robbery-Homicide Division Special Assault Section arrested 33 yr old social media personality “Ray Diaz” for sexual assault in San Diego,” LAPD HQ tweeted.
According to Los Angeles County inmate records, Diaz — whose real name is Raymundo Diaz — was being held on $500,000 bail but has since been released and is scheduled to appear in court on August 7.
The LAPD announced it was investigating allegations of physical abuse and sexual relations against a social media celebrity on Thursday after Diaz’s underage ex-girlfriend went public and claimed he abused her.
Angelica Salek, a 17-year-old actress, and model who was in a year-long relationship with Diaz, claimed the much older Florida-born man was emotionally and physically abusive after they began dating when she was just 16.
The legal age of consent in California is 18.
In an interview earlier this month, Salek shared videos of a man she claimed was Diaz telling her to kill herself and threatening her with violence.
“I’m going to end up punching you so f—ing hard,” the man can be heard screaming as Salek sobs.
In the wake of the allegations, the LAPD announced they had opened an investigation into Diaz before arresting him on Friday.
Authorities have not confirmed the video’s authenticity.
After Diaz was released from jail on Saturday, Salek shared a tearful video saying she was scared to go home and said it was “unfair” the actor had been released on just $50,000 bond.
Diaz denied the abuse allegations in an interview with celebrity website The Hollywood Fix last week, saying the pair had been acting in the video and denied they were ever dating.