So, it was a big deal for us. We run three, four, five miles a day just to stay in shape. If it were ethical, I would pay to have you go to UCLA, he said, noting that it clearly was not. Patrick Mara, center, speaks while flanked by attorney Fred Gagliardini. The best result we found for your search is Damacio Diaz age 50s in Bakersfield, CA. Date Ideas Marriage Affirmations Affirmations for Him Marriage Tips Real Life Marriage DIY Marriage Retreat, Baby Activities for Kids Affirmations for Kids Parenting Teens Communication is Key Spreading Their Wings, Curriculum Preschool Elementary Most Asked Questions Things You Didn't Know Tips for Success, First Grandchild Role of Grandparents Getting Started Big Shoes to Fill They Say Your Name Grandparent Adventures. and preaching in the Church of Christ. Their parents are also highly regarded by each of them and they obviously have a deep love for the family unit. director of photography Film Editing by David Coulson Casting By Sheila Jaffe Production Design by Richard Hoover Jim White | Heroes Wiki | Fandom 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. 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. FRESNO, Calif. Damacio Diaz, 44, of McFarland, formerly a detective with the Bakersfield Police Department, was sentenced today 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, Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. The Feds arrested him at the department Friday morning and removed evidence. Early on, ONeill seemed to be signaling he was taking a hard-line stance. That year, Mara filed for bankruptcy and said he was drinking heavily. The real Coach Jim White took both the boys and girls cross country teams to the California central coast beach at Cayucos during the 1985 season (not the 1987 season). I have seven kids myself and all of us have a lot of kids. And theres not much to do there. DANNY DIAZ : Absolutely. . So we have a lot of uncles and everybody has a lot of kids. How is the district attorney going to oppose any motion for a new trial when these investigators have admitted to such rogue behavior? said Ben Meiselas, who is representing several families suing the Bakersfield police, included a man shot while allegedly an informant for Mara. Damacio stated that they were very proud of the way the movie portrayed their story their family. The Bakersfield Californian says (http://bit.ly/2dGESLb) the U.S. Attorneys Office recommended between 17 and 22 years. Sunny to partly cloudy. Mara was released from a halfway house a month before Diaz, in April 2020, after serving just under four years in federal prison. "I think it goes to show that sometimes the portrayal of images, and good work that has happened in the past, sometimes comes to what we see today and that people aren't always what they seem," said Greg Williamson, Bakersfield police chief. it's not all true but he's okay with that. "I was standing there. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Diaz was released from prison in May 2020. gun violence, officer-involved homicides and other crime, Colin Kaepernick is an executive producer, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Honestly, as we sat and talked with the Diaz brothers 3things were very apparent. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. on their time as cross country runners 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. The United States Attorney's Office said Diaz continued to operate the informant "even though he was fully aware of the informant's ongoing criminal activity and, during this time, Diaz received bribes from the informant in return for intelligence on law enforcement activities as well as protection from investigation and arrest.". 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. These men were the real life inspirations for McFarland USA. Like in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a horrible fight. Damacio G Diaz, 50 - Bakersfield, CA - Has Court or Arrest Records I can't wait to see this movie! Damacio Diaz, 44, of McFarland, formerly a detective with the Bakersfield Police Department, was sentenced today to five years in prison for bribery . What happened to Damacio Diaz? Bakersfield cop seen in 'Killing County' McFarland, USA (2015) - IMDb But thats okay. It depends on the circumstances. So, for us it was normal. Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Where is Damacio Diaz Now? 'Killing County' on Hulu Explores His Story After nearly three decades as a defense attorney, Torres said, he has seen people charged with trafficking in narcotics sentenced to much less prison time, and hes seen the reverse. What is going on here is really outrageous, said criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos. . What Happened to Isabella Pollok? Everything About Larry Ray's 'Lieutenant' "Niki Caro wanted to show more family in the movie so they chose me," says the real David Diaz, who actually graduated during the school year before the first state title win. But this is gonna be a family movie, so it is okay. The story of McFarland started with a cross-country in the '80s. It was fat. We have also done internal investigations on many allegations that were made and once again they have been unable to uncover anything. Five years in jail for a law enforcement officer thats still a serious sentence. But U.S. Atty. Yes. Damacio Diaz - CA Cross Country Bio - Athletic.net Wife of public defender who died at Mexico resort speaks out. Damacio Diaz was sitting in his car alongside informant Guillermo "Memo" Magallanes. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Would they flee bargain the same way with non-police criminals? And, wow, those hills are its not rolling hills. Diaz's wife Courtney painted a picture him as a strong Christian and dedicated family man who in her words 'became a lost soul alone in the dark' while undercover. champions. Second, he expressed sympathy regarding the educational quandary in which she finds herself. Diazs loyalty to Magallanes would be his downfall. Is that still happening in McFarland? [CHUCKLES]. Now, local prosecutors say the scandal jeopardizes other criminal cases. Since then, from what we can tell, the 50-year-old has chosen to retire and lead a comfortable yet quiet life in his home county of Kern; he hasnt moved anywhere. 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. They couldve chosen any other team, because we have nine state titles. They pocketed 4 pounds and turned in just a pound as evidence, officials said. Damacio Diaz was a Bakersfield police detective who was sentenced to five years in prison in October 2016 for stealing drugs to put back onto the street. 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. Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip Talbert said at the time of Diaz's sentencing: "Diaz had a life that afforded him many opportunities, including the opportunity to serve and protect his community as an officer of the law. The Diaz brothers represent 3 of the 7 runners from the McFarland Cross Country team of 1987. Probe Into Corrupt Cops in Kern County Deepens | KQED About $15,000 stuck out of Magallanes'. Is that how the last race happened? In a tweet promoting the documentary, the star mentioned the high homicide and crime rates in Bakersfield, calling the series a "thriller set in Kevin McCarthy's district," in reference to House Speaker McCarthy, whose congressional district includes parts of Bakersfield. Wife of California doctor who drove family off cliff in Tesla doesn't want him prosecuted . To you culture, um, is all about community and it takes a village to raise a child. pic.twitter.com/qKxl7i5dfn. Damacio Diaz is one of the subjects of new Hulu documentary Killing County. But Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson said the federal and internal inquiries after 18 months cleared them all. 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. Still, it was rarely the entire quantity as he, his partner Patrick Mara, as well as an associate, reportedly had this combined side hustle. They threw it out. I wanna know is your mom really that way, because she was a scene stealer? He did a lot of things for us that our dad couldnt, becauseit financially just wasnt available. Both are about to begin five-year federal prison sentences for their crimes. Damacio Diaz was a Bakersfield police detective who was sentenced to five years in prison in October 2016 for stealing drugs to put back onto the street. How did that impact your lives during high school to move on in the future? Im a runner. experience coaching the team. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Sports in high school can make or break a young man. So, thats a big change. Defense attorneys compared the Bakersfield situation to the Los Angeles Police Departments Rampart scandal in the late 1990s, in which corrupt officers tainted cases. September 22, 2016, 12:07 PM. Former detective depicted in 'McFarland, USA' is sentenced to five Coach White called Thomas over. All seven Diaz children ran for Jim White and all seven went on to . It taught you how to accept losing or winning. Police Corruption Scandal in Bakersfield Could Jeopardize Other And so, I cant keep up with my kids in high school [CHUCKLES], but I go with my little seven-year-old. In an extraordinary statement, Judge ONeill spoke directly to Diazs daughter, Caroline. Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. JIM WHITE : Ive done it quite often. I still currently run. [Asking Danny referring to the last race of the first year]. They are a faith-filled family. With nothing to do in their small town, kidshave two choices: education and sports or the streets. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. 12, The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. 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. Coach Jim White is retired now, but if you go to McFarland, chances are you willsee him out there on his bike, keeping up with the kids every evening with a lotof his original team running alongside as well. Damacio Diaz, portrayed in McFarland USA movie, Bakersfield PD officer Oh, its more than an indiscretion, he said. In other words, he joined the Tulare Police Department as a low-level officer in August 1996 just to work hard and be able to move on to Bakersfield as a detective precisely two years later. That is definitely true. Bakersfield, California, Police Narcotics Detective Charged with He will then be subject to three years of supervised release. inspired to strive for something beyond View Others. A look at the real "McFarland USA" kids and coach Jim White People Search You pick up any type of bug or any type of leaf, he knows what it is. 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. According to Torres, the federal system will keep Diaz behind bars for more than four years before he becomes eligible for release. DAMACIO DIAZ, by and through his counsel, DAVID A. TORRES, hereby submits Damacio Diaz' Statement in Mitigation for the court's consideration. Damacio Diaz was released Friday from a halfway house in Sacramento, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. No, the real Coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980. His performance at the 1987 state meet did help McFarland lock up the title. The legendary former McFarland to know what it feels like to be In the least, such scenes seem to have been exaggerated by the filmmakers. Although, David did add that his mom is actually much more strict than she is made to be in the movie. According to the California Department of Justice, Diaz and Mara conspired with another man, Noel Carter, 46. Keep an eye on your inbox for updates. And Johnny was with him. And believe it or not, before he was a coach, hes a scientist. Overall though, they agreed that the picker lifestyle and Latino culture of the community was perfectly captured. They talk about being So the only way I could get some of them into some of the fields that I had to do the work with them. Yes. He offers the kids a chance Uh, it was 1988 and I was a senior at that time and my brother, Damacio, was a junior. [LAUGHS]. But, yes, I did that. So for us, it was a way of life. 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. Former Bakersfield police officer pleads guilty to bribery and other DAVID DIAZ : Not at all. 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. Coach White took the orders and delivered them. Davids the oldest and he was a bully. What about the children? Where Is Damacio Diaz Now? 'Killing County' Catches up With Him Now that he's cooperating with authorities, he has allegedly implicated others in the department, including his former partner . SPONSORED LINKS 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. All seven Diaz children went to college and all seven returned to McFarland where they live today. I am excited to share with you another great interview from my McFarland, USA press trip. Diaz was a member of the team that won the state championship. Back then, McFarland was largely white demographically. 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. They were sooo funny to chat with. [LAUGHS] Much worse. Damacio Diaz, right, shakes hands with Tomas Valles as the team readies for the start of the Southern section championships in the 1987 season. Four years ago on a sweltering afternoon, Bakersfield Police Det. Danny and Damacio run 3 to 5 miles a day to simply stay in shape. We shouldve had first. DAMACIO DIAZ : And if I can add to that. Its hard to understand how he could do both.. Its a poor community. Though it is very close, Jim White likely wouldn't have had a clear view of it from his classroom window, as a street of homes separates the school's athletic fields from the prison grounds. They appeared happy to be with us, and they enjoyed sharing their behind the scenes stories about the . But federal agents arrested him at work today. It taught you discipline. The Department of Justice said Diaz and Mara would deliberately fail to submit seized drugs as evidence and instead would give them to Carter, who would sell them for profit. Kevin Costner and others picking in the fields in McFarland, USA. During the investigation, five other officers were placed on administrative leave related to the investigation and one recently resigned. The movie is based on the true story of a 1987 cross country team, that Diaz was a member of, from a mainly Latino high school in McFarland, California, that won a state championship. He gave them information to clean up the department, said his lawyer, David Torres, in an interview. FEMALE : How McFarland had changed, um, now that the movies gone? But I also understand clearly that while he did not sell his soul, he certainly rented it out.. All of us went to college. A previous version of this article said the district attorneys office reviewed 108 cases involving the detectives. "People discovered who I was, what my background was, and I was assaulted by numerous inmates," Diaz told 17 News. Additionally, Coach White would be there for counseling and fulfilling needs beyond what their parents could afford. Not the right Damacio Diaz? This one looks awesome, can't wait to see it. DANNY DIAZ : Im trying to be nice here. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Delaney shakes hands with former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz in this file photo from Diaz's Oct. 3 sentencing. Low 44F. I've watched "McFarland" probably more than 200 times. They went back to the original first year that we won state. 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. Damacio Diaz Profiles | Facebook On one occasion, Mrs. Diaz made 200 dozen tamales to send the team to Asia. Likely not. His wife and family, including a brother who works at McFarland high school, all supported him in court Friday afternoon. The. His life story had been portrayed in the Disney movie "McFarland, USA". Federal prosecutors in court sentencing documents said Mara had two patrol officers stop a vehicle the detectives knew was carrying 5 pounds of methamphetamine. We didnt have that close to us. However, it was later revealed that BPD Detectives Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara were involved in making Ramirez an informant. Diaz, a 17-year Bakersfield cop, worked on 32 cases involving 53 defendants, with 20 requiring letters, she said. But he encouraged us to play sports. Damacio Diaz said he doesn't recognize the man he was three years ago when he was a detective working for Bakersfield police. And it didnt. We were very happy that that was going to take place. "I can't say I was going to jump, but I was thinking about my life and why some people would jump. Under the circumstances, theres absolutely no issue of dual justice here, he said. In 2018, another man, Noel Carter, from Bakersfield, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Diaz and Mara to distribute drugs, according to federal prosecutors. Damacio Diaz was released Friday from a halfway house in. Prosecutors are specifically reexamining cases from 2011 to 2014, when the partners were committing crimes. But [LAUGHS], as far as wanting to be a teacher he wasnt the only reason why we got into the education, but he was one of the two or three maybe. BAKERSFIELD, Calif., (KBAK/KBFX) Damacio Diaz, a former Detective for the Bakersfield Police Department, has been released from federal custody. How much or any input did you have to have on the filming, the making the movie? 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. 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. ONeill instructed Delaney to directly telephone the warden of the prison assigned to receive Diaz in order to help ensure the safety of the former cop who will soon find himself behind bars. DAVID DIAZ : So, just to go back and let you know how my mother was depicted in previous scripts [LAUGHS] was probably a more accurate [CHUCKLES] version. For my son, it pushed him to go to college and do well while he was in high school. FRESNO, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) Former Bakersfield police detective Damacio Diaz was sentenced Monday in federal court to five years in prison. it was in various stages, because this was about a 15-year process for us, my wife and I . That was something that we did since we were third, fourth, fifth graders and by the time we got to college and were now training and, and running and living our lives with Mr. White some of us traveled out of the state, out of the country with Mr. White it became something that was gonna help us get out of our environment, and it did. Ray referred to Felicia Rosario as his "wife," though they were never married. Officer Damacio Diaz - Ugly Judge According to court documents, while employed as a police officer with the Bakersfield Police Department (BPD), Diaz handled a criminal informant, for nearly three years between April 2012 and February 2015, who was involved in the large-scale sale and distribution of the drug methamphetamine. Damacio stated that they were very proud of the way the movie portrayed their story their family. In a highly charged hearing packed with family members and supporters of the former cop, U.S. District Judge Lawrence ONeill indicated during the nearly two-hour hearing that the case was among the most difficult and emotional hes encountered in all his years on the bench. Carter would then could sell those narcotics for profit. 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. All seven Diaz Although, the brothers did say that the town hasnt really changed much, Coach White has noticed one big change. Girl, 13, Went Missing Last Week, and Suspect Is Arrested on . Damacio Diaz, former BPD detective who stole drugs and put - KGET 17 Posted on Published: February 18, 2015- Last updated: August 7, 2022. Damacio Diaz - CA Cross Country results and photos on Athletic.net 'McFarland USA' Hero Arrested For Conspiring With Drug Dealer I even performed the wedding service for Damacio Diaz . You know we are a God-fearing folks, so we were teaching in Sunday school on Sundays. The. picking in the fields. 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. Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, No. McFarland, USA (2015) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb [LAUGHS] So, just to let yall know were proud of what Hollywood did and what Niki and the producer and everyone did, but we lived in a very, very strict environment and still do to this day. As you pull into McFarland, you will know notice a silhouette of a runner running through an open field. A sentence of five years is less than what we expected, but its still a strong sentence, he said outside the courtroom after the hearing. In April 2019, Carter was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for conspiring with Diaz and Mara to sell the seized drugs. Still, Williamson said, the corrupt detectives had eroded trust with the community. The corruption scandal broke in November 2015 when federal agents arrested Bakersfield Police Detective Damacio Diaz for helping traffic methamphetamines. I understand he did a lot of good before this criminal activity. -LA Times. Magallanes then told another drug dealer to dump his phone. 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. 'McFarland USA' runner Damacio Diaz gets prison - The Mercury News If they took statements, seized evidence or wrote reports, we will be sending letters to defense attorneys or defendants that represented themselves, she said. Two corrupt cops joined forces with drug dealers. Now, dozens of Eugenia Diaz Obituary (1918 - 2012) - San Antonio, TX - San Antonio Diaz did a lot of good things, Delaney said. Disgraced former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz, one of the real-life heroes of the movie "McFarland USA," was sentenced Monday in U . Um, Im running my first half marathon soon, and, um, I just wanna know are those hills what you really trained on? 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. DAVID DIAZ : He was out in my field still in the evening helping me do my work.