by: John Ross Ferrara
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A convicted felon from Watts has been sentenced to 45 days in jail and 12 months of probation for posting video of himself pouring alcohol into a hawk’s mouth, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said Tuesday.
CDFW officers began investigating after a YouTube video surfaced showing 25-year-old Cesar Gustavo Diaz feeding a BuzzBallz mixed cocktail to the bird. Investigators later determined that Diaz captured the young Cooper’s hawk at Amelia Mayberry Park in Whittier in June 2025.
“Hanging out with the homie,” read one still image from the video, according to the CDFW. “Hawk loves him some buzz ball,” another still stated.
Diaz allegedly released the hawk before wildlife officials could intervene, and its condition is unknown. He was already in custody on unrelated charges when prosecutors filed misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and capturing wildlife in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Diaz pleaded no contest to the animal cruelty charge on Feb. 19.
A still from a social media video shows a Watts man feeding a wild hawk alcohol at Amelia Mayberry Park in Whittier. (CDFW)
In addition to jail time and probation, Diaz was ordered to complete 20 days of community labor, attend a 24‑session animal cruelty counseling program, avoid possessing animals for five years, avoid possessing a gun for 10 years, and pay a $220 fine.
“Cooper’s hawks are protected under California and federal law,” the CDFW said. “CDFW reminds the public that capturing, harming or harassing wildlife is illegal and can result in criminal charges.”
