Ex-Broward teacher pleads guilty in student identity theft case

By DIANA MOSKOVITZ

A former Broward County public schools teacher has pleaded guilty to obtaining credit cards with personal information she stole from former students.

Federal prosecutors announced the plea of Sheyla Diaz, 44, of Pembroke Pines, on Monday.

In total, Diaz opened or tried to open 17 accounts with personal information -- including names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth -- from seven identity-theft victims, according to federal court records.

Of the seven, six were former students at Monarch High School or Plantation High School.

Four were enrolled at Monarch while Diaz taught there, authorities said.

Diaz joined the district in 2005 as a social studies teacher. She left in January 2010, telling officials she had family obligations, according to school district records.

Diaz is scheduled to be sentenced July 23. She could receive up to five years in prison.