Dateline: Diabolical - 5 harrowing details of Michelle Hadley's involvement in a twisted cyber-revenge conspiracy 

Dateline: Diabolic Season 25 Episode 20 saw a shocking case where a former US Marshall framed his ex-girlfriend with his wife in a case of cyber conspiracy.

Ian Diaz conspired with his wife, Angela Connell, to falsely accuse his ex-girlfriend of sending emails to men, asking them to get involved in a r*pe fantasy with Angela. Michelle was arrested based on these allegations and was sentenced to three months in prison.

The official synopsis of this Dateline episode reads as:

A bizarre cyber-revenge case lands a young woman in jail; an unexpected twist reveals the real culprit.

Here are five details of Michelle Hadley's involvement in a cyber conspiracy as shown on Dateline: Diabolic.

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Dateline: 5 harrowing details of Michelle Hadley's involvement in a cyber-revenge conspiracy

1) Exploring Dateline victim Michelle's relationship with Ian Diaz

Michelle was in a relationship with former US Marshall Ian Diaz. In 2015, the couple purchased an Anaheim condo near Disneyland, for which Michele provided a down payment of $14,401.20. The remaining $459,745.00 was obtained as a mortgage by the couple.

But when they broke up, Michelle moved out of their condo, and Ian stayed behind on his own. He met Angela Connell through a dating site, and the two got married in 2016.

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2) Ian and his wife laid a trap to falsely accuse Michelle

Even after getting married, Ian was still cross with Michelle over the condo and wanted revenge. Together with his wife, he set up multiple fake accounts as Michelle online and sent requests to men on Craiglist to get involved in a 'r*pe fantasy' with his wife Angela.

When their hoax sexual assault plan worked, Angela called 911 and reported Michelle for sending men to her doorstep to r*pe her. According to the court statement, Ian recorded:

“At what point does this girl get arrested for sending this s--- and hiring guys off Craigslist to r*pe [Angela],”

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3) Dateline victim Michelle was sent to prison on false charges

Michelle was arrested from her home after the couple's accusations by the Anaheim police and was sentenced to three months in prison for felony counts of attempted forcible r*pe and stalking.

Later investigation and efforts by Michelle's Orange County District Attorney, Tony Rackauckas, proved that the emails sent were doctored by the couple.

The Police department released an official statement:

“The Anaheim Police Department and its officers abdicated their duties to adhere to investigative norms, instead conspiring to do the bidding of a corrupt federal marshal. … They appear to have willingly become Ian Diaz’s weapon in his tortious campaign to ruin the life of his ex-girlfriend, plaintiff Michelle Hadley''

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4) Ian and Angela Diaz were finally convicted of their crimes

In April 2021, Ian Diaz was charged with federal charges of cyberstalking, conspiracy to commit cyberstalking, and perjury and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Angela was also charged with orchestrating the crime and was sentenced to five years in prison. The couple got divorced after the incident.

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5) Dateline victim Michelle was fully exonerated

While Michelle was fully exonerated by the Orange County District Attorney's Office, she lost three months of her life, job, and reputation.

In April 2021, she was also given an undisclosed settlement amount by the city of Anaheim.

After being released and fully exonerated, Michelle discussed this whole incident in an interview with NBC News:

“I am so grateful to the [Justice Department Office of Inspector General] for the work they put into this case and to the jury for a conviction that has brought so much peace to my family and restored some of the faith we lost in the justice system as a result of Diaz’s crimes against me''

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