A bid for online clout has ended in real-world jail time for a Los Angeles man, after a viral video showed him feeding a pre-mixed cocktail to a young Cooper's hawk, according to state officials. The short clip ricocheted around social media, sparked a wildlife probe, and ultimately led to criminal convictions.
According to KTLA, prosecutors say 25-year-old Cesar Gustavo Diaz pleaded no contest on Thursday and was ordered to serve 45 days in jail and 12 months of probation. The court also tacked on 20 days of community labor, a $220 fine, and a requirement that Diaz complete a 24-session animal-cruelty counseling program. Prosecutors said Diaz is barred from possessing animals for five years and cannot own firearms for 10 years.
State wildlife officers with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife say the investigation began after a YouTube video surfaced showing Diaz offering a BuzzBallz mixed cocktail to a Cooper's hawk. Investigators determined the young bird was captured in June 2025 at Amelia Mayberry Park in Whittier, and the agency notes that Cooper's hawks are protected under both California and federal law. Officials said the hawk's current condition is unknown.
Charges and court outcome
Prosecutors filed misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and capturing wildlife in Los Angeles County Superior Court, according to KTLA. Authorities say Diaz was already in custody on unrelated charges when the wildlife-related counts were added to his case.
What the video shows
The brief clip shows Diaz holding a small, brightly colored pre-mixed drink and guiding it toward the hawk's beak. Still frames shared online feature captions such as "hanging out with the homie" and "hawk loves him some buzz ball," according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Wildlife officers intervened after the footage racked up views and shares, and investigators allege Diaz released the bird before officials could take custody.
Officials say those images, combined with the apparent capture of the raptor, formed the basis of the criminal case because protected birds cannot legally be handled or harmed, and keeping them can bring penalties that go beyond standard animal-cruelty fines. Authorities say the hawk's condition remains unclear, and prosecutors and wildlife officials describe the sentence as a reminder that protected birds are not props for social media content or drinking jokes. The case also underscores how quickly viral posts can draw scrutiny, enforcement, and real legal consequences.
