Three Happy Cows yogurt creator sentenced to 5 years in federal prison for arson
Edgar Díaz |
His Three Happy Cows Yogurt was a consistent winner at American Cheese Society competitions, even besting his record at Lucky Layla Farms, where he made yogurt prior to starting his own business.
The Dallas Morning News did a story in 2006 about his family’s harrowing escape from his native Colombia after he was kidnapped by guerrillas. He told The News was grateful to start over in America.
In addition to five years in federal prison – the arson affected businesses engaged in interstate commerce – he must pay $1,508,533 in restitution.
Here’s the full text of today’s press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Northern District of Texas:
DALLAS — A Dallas businessman was sentenced today for intentionally setting fire to his business, announced John Parker, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
Edgar Dalmiro Diaz, 56, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle to 60 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $1,508,533 in restitution. Diaz pleaded guilty in January 2014 to an indictment charging one count of malicious use of explosive materials. At the conclusion of today’s hearing, Judge Boyle remanded Diaz into federal custody.
Front row, from left: Diana Ocampo; her husband, Edgar Diaz; Gloria Lopez and Todd Moore with other workers at the Lucky Layla cheese plant in Garland on May 19, 2006. |
According to documents filed in the case, in mid-March 2013, Diaz intentionally set fire to that building. At that time, businesses located in the building were engaged in activities that affected interstate commerce, and the fire Mr. Diaz set damaged the building and its contents.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Dallas Fire-Rescue investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taly Haffar prosecuted.
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