If it were ethical, I would pay to have you go to UCLA, he said, noting that it clearly was not. This behavior became common, prosecutors said. Is that still happening in McFarland? DANNY DIAZ : We, we love basketball. Uh, it was 1988 and I was a senior at that time and my brother, Damacio, was a junior. Amongst those to feature in this three-part original is law enforcement official turned convicted felon Damacio Diaz so now, if you wish to learn more about him, weve got you covered. They talk about being February 27, 2023 new bill passed in nj for inmates 2022 No Comments . Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. (I am in the red in the back betweenDamacio and Danny). So I'd have two practices." They also plan to seize about $50,000 in cash and a home in an exclusive McFarland neighborhood. However, it happened a little differently than in the movie. Diaz this summer pleaded guilty to bribery, drug trafficking and tax evasion, and Mara admitted to selling methamphetamine. High 61F. Plus I am a big Kevin Costner fan, I dont think I have ever not liked one of his movies. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. To read the article in Spanish, click here, Insider is sentenced to prison in scam that nearly took down L.A.s last black bank, Man accused of threatening to kill people at Islamic center because of hatred for Muslims, Man is charged with attempted murder after break-in at Miranda Kerrs Malibu home. They were cross country state champs in 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001. Primary filming took place in McFarland, California in 2013. A couple weeks later, the Bakersfield Police Department put him on leave after a federal investigation started to reveal an alleged connection to a major meth dealer. Then they can do whatever they want. The Feds arrested him at the department Friday morning and removed evidence. Everyone there is excited about the movie and thenotoriety they have been receiving from it. But Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson said the federal and internal inquiries after 18 months cleared them all. 1999 - 2000 Damacio Diaz was a subject of the movie McFarland USA and became a Bakersfield police officer. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - - Damacio Diaz, 43, of McFarland, a detective with the Bakersfield Police (BPD) was arrested today, charged with abusing his position of trust as a police detective when he conspired with and assisted a narcotics dealer in the operation of the dealer's drug organization, announced United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner, FBI Special Agent in Charge Monica M. Miller . Raul was also a runner on the team when his sister was killed. All the notoriety that theyre getting and what this man over here, Mr. White, our coach, has brought to not just our program but to our community. We basically told our story, got interviewed for hours and hour and hours, and that was pretty much it. Although, the brothers did say that the town hasnt really changed much, Coach White has noticed one big change. I cannot thank all of the people involved enough for bringing this story to us. Diaz was a member of the team that won the state championship. So, thats a big change. Girl, 13, Went Missing Last Week, and Suspect Is Arrested on . It was fat. Plus, David still runs competitively and coaches. Thats why we had the sixth and seventh runner on a team. [LAUGHS] Much worse. So, it was a big deal for us. The sentence received Monday was more lenient than prosecutors had urged for Damacio Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the Bakersfield Police Department. No foul language or nudity - just fresh air. . inspired to strive for something beyond DAVID DIAZ : And just to let you know, um, Gods good and we own almonds now. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. DAVID DIAZ : Yeah, so just to let you know: I think Hollywood did a, a very good job of depicting and not making it look too guilty as regarding CPS. On that day, Leopoldo became a man. Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. DAMACIO DIAZ : Us training together, maam? Thats a long time in jail for someone who once wore a badge.. You pick up any type of bug or any type of leaf, he knows what it is. He retired in 2003 after 23 years of coaching boys cross country. They pocketed 4 pounds and turned in just a pound as evidence, officials said. See Who's Searching for You. How often do you guys still train together with the new students? Source: YouTube/KGET Article continues below advertisement var _ndnq = _ndnq || []; _ndnq.push([embed]); Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Map: Track this weekends rain in the Bay Area, McFarland USA runner gets prison for corruption as police detective. The former police officer was subsequently sentenced to five years in federal prison, just to be released days early from a halfway house in Sacramento, California, on May 8, 2020. Posted on Published: February 18, 2015- Last updated: August 7, 2022. However, he had been a teacher in the McFarland School District since 1964, following his graduation from Pepperdine University. They work in the school system and believe in. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. A former Bakersfield Police detective, serving time in prison for his role in a drug ring, has been released. Damacio Diaz, 43, of McFarland, a detective with the Bakersfield Police Department was arrested today, charged with abusing his position of trust as a police detective when he conspired with and assisted a narcotics dealer in the operation of the dea . Our third man, Jose, he just-. When the informant left, the narcotics detective found just under $1,000 in the passenger-side door pocket. She is preceded in death by her husband Damacio Diaz. In 2016, Diaz, 48, was sentenced for "federal programs bribery, possession and attempted possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and making and subscribing a false income tax return." I've watched "McFarland" probably more than 200 times. In our case, you know, theres seven and my dad worked a lot of hours. But he encouraged us to play sports. My mom has 12. "It was damaging. It was back in 1987 when Damacio Diaz inadvertently became a local celebrity of sorts owing to the way he built McFarland High Schools winning cross-country dynasty alongside his two brothers. "McFarland's Family of Champions," are So, for us it was normal. That decision also rocked the Kern County criminal justice system, marking the beginning of an ugly police corruption scandal involving cash, drugs and protection. They went back to the original first year that we won state. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. So , DANNY DIAZ : Mr. White never went back to Stockton never again. The Bakersfield Californian says (http://bit.ly/2dGESLb) the U.S. Attorneys Office recommended between 17 and 22 years. All of us went to college. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The charges against Damacio Diaz have people in his hometown in disbelief. I used to take Damacio and some of hispeers. No. Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick is an executive producer on new Hulu documentary "Killing County," which explores the story of Damacio Diaz. The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. The McFarland, USA true story supports that McFarland High School won nine CIF California State Championships in cross country (including five in a row) and held a streak of attending the state championship meet 24 years in a row. Damacio seemingly prefers to stay well away from the spotlight these days, but we do know the family man tied the knot with his long-term partner, teacher Courtney Diaz, on January 26, 2021. Vida en el Valle file Daniel Casarez. The relationship between the brothers and Coach White is endearing. Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such conduct.". We love our dad. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And so, we have kids that are in high school and some that are in elementary school. And he told me I want them to get their education, so I will go back and get my education. Mara said that when he partnered up with Diaz in spring 2012, Diaz walked out of a bedroom and handed him a few hundred dollars, while he stuck a large amount of money into his own pockets, according to court papers. So Im always looking out for their kids. Damacio Diaz one of the three Diaz brothers depicted in the 2015 Disney film about the victorious Central Valley team admitted to lying on his tax returns and accepting bribes from an . Along with fellow BPD Detective Patrick Mara, 40, the two were sentenced to five years in federal prison. It was really an honor. [LAUGHS] We didnt do cabbage. In a remarkable statement made before reporters Friday, Kern County District Attorney Lisa Green said her office will mail out 64 letters to d, Positive Cases Among Kern Residents: 310,095, Recovered and Presumed Recovered Residents: 305,002, Percentage of all cases that are unvaccinated:71, Percentage of all hospitalizations that are unvaccinated:83.13, Source: Kern County Public Health Services Department. Federal prosecutors in court sentencing documents said Mara had two patrol officers stop a vehicle the detectives knew was carrying 5 pounds of methamphetamine. February 3, 2023, 11:49 PM Part of the docu-series focuses on former Bakersfield Police Officers Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara. In May 2020, Diaz was released from a halfway house in Sacramento, where he was staying after serving his time. Then to keep him on the narrow road or that straight road is tough. We, we basically told our story, got interviewed for hours and hour and hours, and that was pretty much it. Carter was also ordered to pay $70,513 in restitution to his former employerwho he admitted to embezzling money fromand to forfeit $286,251 in proceeds from drug trafficking, according to federal prosecutors. These I was able have aninterview with Jim White and the Diaz brothers (David Diaz, Damacio Diaz and Danny Diaz) who are the real life inspirations behind the McFarland, USA film. on their time as cross country runners The legendary former McFarland Former McFarland cross-country coach Jim White and his wife, Cheryl, leave the U.S. District Court in Fresno Monday after his one-time runner, former BPD detective Damacio Diaz, was sentenced. Damacio Diaz (R) and guest attend the Bakersfield Special Screening of "McFarland, USA" in Bakersfield, CA on Feb. 15th, 2015. I never had pressure. JIM WHITE : Let me add a little bit of that. We are no longer theHeartbeat of Agriculture. [CHUCKLES] And, and we didnt train and we got fifth that year. Each one of the brothers are land owners in McFarland. Yet this fraud used his position for gain and greed. McFarland High School is actually just down the road from the Central Valley Correctional Facility, not across the street. interview. McFarland, USA comes to theaters on Friday, February 20th. Damacio Diaz was sitting in his car alongside informant Guillermo "Memo" Magallanes. White retired in 2002 afterteaching in McFarland schools for 40 years and coaching for 25 years. Magallanes then told another drug dealer to dump his phone. I feel like if hes gone, I wont have anyone, said Diazs daughter Caroline, a student at Bakersfield College who had originally planned to attend UCLA. All seven Diaz Diazs loyalty to Magallanes would be his downfall. Information from: The Bakersfield Californian, http://www.bakersfield.com. Damacio Diaz, 44, of McFarland, formerly a detective with the Bakersfield Police Department, was sentenced today to five years in prison for bribery . The former BPD official apparently knew what he was doing wasnt right in any way, shape, or form, yet he couldnt find a way out as there was no one he could approach for help, as per the docuseries. Still, Williamson said, the corrupt detectives had eroded trust with the community. But if it werent for sports our kids would be lost, because its either education and sports or the streets. [CHUCKLES] Same thing happened back in the day when we were kids. And underneath and this was given out to the high school and a high school girl came up with this logo Tradition, Unity, and Excellence. As you pull into McFarland, you will know notice a silhouette of a runner running through an open field. His partner, Patrick Mara, admitted to selling methamphetamine. He also committed serious, reprehensible crimes. Mara was released from a halfway house a month before Diaz, in April 2020, after serving just under four years in federal prison. Prosecutors are specifically reexamining cases from 2011 to 2014, when the partners were committing crimes. FRESNO, Calif. Damacio Diaz, 44, of McFarland, formerly a detective with the Bakersfield Police Department, pleaded guilty today to bribery, possession and attempted possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and making and subscribing a false income tax return, Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The Feds arrested him at the. Both men are currently in halfway houses, Diaz in the Sacramento area and Mara in the Long Beach area. Mara, a 13-year veteran, had 55 cases involving 70 defendants. Those suckers are, are steep. This this file photo, former Bakersfield Police Department Detective Damacio Diaz and his wife, Courtney, and other family members and friends leave the U.S. District Court in Fresno after he was sentenced to five years in federal prison. He offers the kids a chance Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Delaney speaks to the news media after former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Fresno to five years in federal prison. He went back and got it. Five years in jail for a law enforcement officer thats still a serious sentence. Davids the oldest and he was a bully. See more stories in. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Mr. White had a lot more influence [on the script]. He says that -KGET 17. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. Noel Carter, 45, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today for conspiring with Bakersfield police officers Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana that Diaz and Mara seized in the course of their duties as police officers, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. David is represented in the McFarland, USA movie along with two of his brothers, Damacio and Danny. They appeared happy to be with us, and they enjoyed sharing their behind the scenes stories about the . His life story had been portrayed in the Disney movie "McFarland, USA". Jim White and the Diaz Brothers with our Group for McFarland, USA. Now that he's cooperating with authorities, he has allegedly implicated others in the department, including his former partner . This hearing is not about telling someone they are no good, ONeill said. it was in various stages, because this was about a 15-year process for us, my wife and I . Thomas Valles went on to become a prison guard (LA Times). If you havent seen a trailer yet, here you go, Follow McFARLAND, USA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcfarlandusa, Follow Disney Pictures on Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneypictures. Keep an eye on your inbox for updates. Federal authorities say 43-year-old Damacio Diaz took bribes from a narcotics dealer, and, in exchange, provided the names of police informants, gave details of law enforcement investigations, and tried to protect him from arrest. Yes. He will have about two months to think about what comes next. We run once in a whileamongst, DAVID DIAZ : ourselves. Diaz turned his back on those opportunities and broke the trust his community placed in him, violating the very laws he was sworn to enforce. Thats what they wanted to do and Im just excited to be included in the movie. Diaz would quickly implicate Mara and then suggest others were making money too. This is going to be a huge hit, I live about two hours from the area it's based on and I'm really looking forward to seeing it. The detective tipped him off about a Drug Enforcement Administration wiretap that captured him chatting, advising him to lay low, according to documents. The Diaz brothers represent 3 of the 7 runners from the McFarland Cross Country team of 1987. In 2018, another man, Noel Carter, from Bakersfield, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Diaz and Mara to distribute drugs, according to federal prosecutors. As a documentary series that delves deep into the alleged corruption, cover-ups, and crimes within the Bakersfield Police Department over the years, Hulus Killing County is unlike any other. DAMACIO DIAZ, by and through his counsel, DAVID A. TORRES, hereby submits Damacio Diaz' Statement in Mitigation for the court's consideration. As, as hes retired. Matter of fact, he ordered us and he forced us and he made us play sports, because the way he saw it hes the first one, and so he learned it before us. Lisa Green is sending letters to defendants in 64 potentially tainted criminal convictions after her office examined scores of convictions involving the work of the disgraced pair. Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. Sunny to partly cloudy. Mr. White was there as a person that we can rely on. Kevin Costner (Coach Jim White) and Diana Maria Riva (Seora Diaz) in McFarland, USA. In 2016 Diaz was sentenced for crimes including federal. Diaz may be a free man later tonight, but he's facing life in prison for allegedly helping a meth dealer get drugs and stay undetected, all while he was supposed to be a narcotics detective. PUBLISHED: October 4, 2016 at 7:44 a.m. | UPDATED: October 4, 2016 at 7:53 a.m. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) An ex-detective who was on the championship 1987 track team depicted in the movie . Updated: May 11, 2020 / 06:23 PM PDT BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Disgraced former Bakersfield police detective Damacio Diaz has been released from custody after serving a federal term for stealing drugs during the course of his police work and putting them back on the street. What is going on here is really outrageous, said criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos. All opinions expressed are my own. View Public Details & Court Records. DAMACIO DIAZ : Our kids all compete. It gave you character. school and decides to put together a cross My dad has 13 brothers and sisters. Diaz was active as a youth coach, and as a cop he rose quickly through the ranks before, as he said, he was seduced by the lure of easy money, by stealing and selling methamphetamine for personal profit, the very drugs he was being paid to get off the streets. Here's what we know. That is why it was so amazing and cool that I got to interview Jim White, David Diaz, Damacio Diaz, and Danny Diaz. He got into the truck and began to talk with Coach White about his difficulties at home. Diaz was a Tulare county sheriffs deputy years ago, but he's been at the Bakersfield police department for 17 years, the last four as a narcotics detective. To make up for the time they couldn't work in the fields due to cross country practice, Jim White would sometimes give his time to them by helping them pick in the fields. Diaz was charged with assisting a drug dealer and providing him with names of police informants, and with trafficking drugs that had been seized for evidence. And, uh, low and behold, Mr. White, during Thanksgiving break, uh, when we have no school, he had an emergency. It depends on the circumstances. Youre driving on 99, the freeway, and you blink and youll miss it. It was such a great experience. When I found out that it was Christian driven (truth !) Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, No. September 22, 2016, 12:07 PM. Thats because it comprises not only archival footage but also first-hand accounts of individuals closest to the matter to truly uncover this Californian citys merciless, violence-driven justice system. Damacio is related to Elizabeth Z Diaz and Delia G Garza as well as 3 additional people. How trust and newfound chemistry fuel the Warriors defensive turnaround, Carondelet coach shows true spirit of competition after crushing last-second loss, Warriors cap off homestand with fifth straight win, UCLA stuns Stanford women in Pac-12 tournament semifinals, Dear Abby: I love my wife but I think I better get divorced, Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Harriette Cole: She has gone too far with the remote work option, Bobcat seen using Highway 17 wildlife crossing hours after it opens, Authorities: Man bombed PG&E transformers in South San Jose, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, William backed Harry and Meghan's eviction, prefers brother never 'set foot in England again', Ask Amy: I didn't ask for what I wanted, and I'm sad they couldn't guess, Map in Murdaugh murder case: 5 deaths and a mysterious shooting, Miss Manners: I felt bad that they all skipped her baby shower -- and then I found out why, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. The community of McFarlandis important to them. I didn't want to go home," says Thomas. Defendant reserves the . - An ex-detective who was on the championship 1987 track team depicted in the movie "McFarland USA" has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to bribery and drug charges. Both girls were on this trip to a meet in Santa Maria and the beachs, and these photos are from Silvia's album, which her family had saved. If they took statements, seized evidence or wrote reports, we will be sending letters to defense attorneys or defendants that represented themselves, she said. This was an all expense paid trip provided by Disney. The student thus enrolled at California State University-Fresno while changing his major to Criminology as well as Military Science (1992-1996) before deciding to acquire training on the job. Many of White's former runners credit him with inspiring them to achieve personal and career goals they would have otherwise deemed impossible (People.com). As stated above, the real Jim White started teaching in the McFarland School District straight out of college in 1964. But even prosecutor Brian Delaney of the U.S. Attorneys Office seemed satisfied with Diazs ultimate sentence, a dozen years fewer than the minimum he had recommended. They are a faith-filled family. . Where are Damacio and Patrick now? It was great meeting you on the trip - it was such fun! BAKERSFIELD, Calif., (KBAK/KBFX) Damacio Diaz, a former Detective for the Bakersfield Police Department, has been released from federal custody. Also, take a closer look at the Diaz family, who had seven children run for McFarland. Since we have a newborn we weren't able to see the pre-screening in theaters but I hope to see it as soon as it comes out on DVD. I wanna know what your guyss first reaction was when you heard that not only was your story going to be a movie but specifically this movie and knowing what these true life, inspirational movies become? All of a sudden I saw these headlights and it was Mr. White in his '59 Chevy." Damacio Diaz was released Friday from a halfway house in Sacramento, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Diaz then began cooperating with federal investigators and named other cops he said were corrupt. DAMACIO DIAZ : Go ahead and call it. A previous version of this article said the district attorneys office reviewed 108 cases involving the detectives. Silvia was 16 and Herlinda was 14. White and many other family members and friends were in court to support Diaz. Damacio Diaz - CA Cross Country results and photos on Athletic.net And theres not much to do there. Their parents are also highly regarded by each of them and they obviously have a deep love for the family unit. All Rights Reserved. Diaz pleaded guilty to stealing. And Johnny was with him. Atty. Dozens of Coach Jim White's runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. Diaz said that his time as a narcotics detective drove him to a life of drinking and that Magallanes, a drug dealer and a prominent member of the Mexican Mafia, became more friend than informant. On October 3, 2016 Diaz was sentenced to five years in prison for bribery, possession and attempted possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and making and subscribing a false income tax return. I understand he did a lot of good before this criminal activity. DANNY DIAZ : east from McFarland, Mr. White here would take us to the hills. I still currently run. They threw it out. And then Disney resigned us and got a better script writer. If its not for the help of our cousins and our uncles and our friends and our church its really difficult during these times to raise a child. -Congressional Record, V. 146, Pt. Right before interviewing Kevin Costner (see that here), we had the great privilege of interviewing the real life inspirations behind the new Disney film, McFarland, USA, Coach Jim White and the Diaz brothers, David, Damacio and Danny.They were so charming, and funny, and honest. When actually Disney did it we were thrilled very much so that Disney had it, because then we knew that it shouldnt have any sex and cussing and cigarettes and this type of thing, you know. I am excited to share with you another great interview from my McFarland, USA press trip. Inspired by the irony of his last name, "Blanco" was one of the nicknames that the kids and their families gave Jim White. 1972 March 9 - Damacio Diaz birth date 1973 April 17 - Noel Carter birth date 1980 March 16 - Noel Carter birth date 1982 July 15 - Derrick Penney birth date 1986 August 7 - Logan August birth date 1996 August - Damacio Diaz hired by the Tulare Police Department. All seven Diaz children went to college and all seven returned to McFarland where they live today. [LAUGHS]. These I was able have an interview with Jim White and the Diaz brothers (David Diaz, Damacio Diaz and Danny Diaz) who are the real life inspirations behind the McFarland, USA film. He told me to take my wife out on a date or buy my kids something, Diaz would later recall in court papers. Former Bakersfield Police Department Detective Damacio Diaz with his wife, Courtney, and their children leaving U.S. District Court in Fresno after his 2016 sentencing. Delaney was the prosecutor in the case. Defense attorneys compared the Bakersfield situation to the Los Angeles Police Departments Rampart scandal in the late 1990s, in which corrupt officers tainted cases. We don't know that anyone was physically injured as a result of it, fortunately. What Happened to Damacio Diaz? Thanks! And we were part of the Royal Rangers andwe did that on Tuesday nights at our local church. I have seven kids myself and all of us have a lot of kids. champions. Diaz, and father and mother Paul and And he did. DAMACIO DIAZ : The one that took off real fast, you know. Two years later, we signed with another one, not quite that often, but it took a long process.