The Wild Untold Truth: How Long Was Joey Diaz Really in Prison?
In 1988, law enforcement arrested Diaz on severe state charges: kidnapping and aggravated robbery. The case involved holding an individual against their will during a dispute over drug money. Given the gravity of the offenses, Diaz faced a potential stretch of decades if convicted at trial. Recognizing the evidence stacked against him, he accepted a plea bargain.
The court sentenced him to four years in the Colorado correctional system. While four years was the official term on his court docket, state sentencing guidelines, good behavior credits, and prison overcrowding dramatically shortened his physical stay. Joey Diaz ultimately served 16 months behind bars before securing release on felony parole. Those 16 months, however, left an indelible mark on his psyche and his future craft.