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It reviewed 87 cases. -KGET 17, Yes. Damacio was actually indicted on 16 federal counts related to bribery, drug trafficking, and filing a false tax return on the grounds he resold a lot of the drugs he confiscated during his police work. champions. It was at the Bakersfield Police Department that Damacio was able to rise the ranks in the way hed always desired going from patrol operations to serving at several high-profile units. [LAUGHS]. Juanita Diaz. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. So, for us it was normal. I even performed the wedding service for Damacio Diaz . Write by: What about the children? Damacio Diaz (R) and guest attend the Bakersfield Special Screening of "McFarland, USA" in Bakersfield, CA on Feb. 15th, 2015. However, similar to the film, Jim White had never been a runner himself and used the bike to follow the team during their workouts. I can't wait to see this movie! And, uh, low and behold, Mr. White, during Thanksgiving break, uh, when we have no school, he had an emergency. 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. If one or two of those boys couldn't make practice at four o'clock 'cause they're just gettin' in from work, then I might practice at 6 or 7 o'clock with those boys. Damacio Diaz, former BPD detective who stole drugs and put them back on the street, released from custody We run three, four, five miles a day just to stay in shape. And we were running number one all year long. And we were part of the Royal Rangers andwe did that on Tuesday nights at our local church. Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick is an executive producer on the project, and says in the trailer that it "is one of the most powerful projects I've ever been involved with.". In the movie, you [Coach White] spent a day picking in the fields with the boys. Thats what they wanted to do and Im just excited to be included in the movie. 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. Jim White, David Diaz, Damacio Diaz and Danny Diaz for McFarland, USA. He says that We started picking and hoeing and raking and doing everything you could possibly think of. DIAZEugenia Vasquez Diaz loving wife, mother, grandmother passed away on August 1, 2012 at the age of 94. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. A former Bakersfield Police detective, serving time in prison for his role in a drug ring, has been released. I used to take Damacio and some of hispeers. Silvia died on October 27, Herlinda on October 28. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Although, David did add that his mom is actually much more strict than she is made to be in the movie. And so, we were just happy that Disney stuck with that first year and were lucky to be in the movie. The Feds arrested him at the department Friday morning and removed evidence. But, no, they made me chubby or overweight [CHUCKLES] and hecka hella slow [LAUGHS] when you watch the movie. Here's what we know. 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. Gabriel Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego Diaz, and father and mother Paul and Juanita Diaz. it all made sense. 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. However, he had been a teacher in the McFarland School District since 1964, following his graduation from Pepperdine University. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. He got into the truck and began to talk with Coach White about his difficulties at home. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Delaney, who prosecuted the case against former Bakersfield Police Department Detective Damacio Diaz, is shown here in this file photo following the Oct. 3 sentencingat U.S. District Court in Fresno. challenged town in California's farm-rich And, wow, those hills are its not rolling hills. Five years is much better than 17, from their point of view, and while prison time will be an ordeal for the one-time cop, everyone knew they had won something at least resembling a victory. Those are the two extremes and those are the two options that are there for our community. Forty-four of his cases will result in letters. Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? 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. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. 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 . Although, the brothers did say that the town hasnt really changed much, Coach White has noticed one big change. We don't know that anyone was physically injured as a result of it, fortunately. The assistant U.S. attorney used the word paradox to describe Diaz, one of seven siblings raised in the northern Kern County farming community of McFarland in a religious family, and one that seemed the epitome of the American dream. The highest homicide rate The most crime. 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. Phillip A. Talbert said the two detectives were specially selected for a joint drug task force in a region plagued by methamphetamine. SPONSORED LINKS They came from a large family where faith,educationand hard work were important. DANNY DIAZ : You know, growing up in McFarland we didnt have much. Thomas Valles went on to become a prison guard (LA Times). Members of McFarland's Diaz family reflect The detective tipped him off about a Drug Enforcement Administration wiretap that captured him chatting, advising him to lay low, according to documents. 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. Mara was released from a halfway house a month before Diaz, in April 2020, after serving just under four years in federal prison. (I am in the red in the back betweenDamacio and Danny). We run once in a whileamongst, DAVID DIAZ : ourselves. DANNY DIAZ : That is true. it was in various stages, because this was about a 15-year process for us, my wife and I . Atty. Posted on Published: February 18, 2015- Last updated: August 7, 2022. It was fat. Then they can do whatever they want. DANNY DIAZ : Once you give them your story, obviously you sign with them. We [LAUGHS], we played basket. Diaz, his large extended family, his friends and supporters including Jim White, the legendary McFarland High School cross country coach who was featured along with the Diaz brothers in the Disney movie, McFarland, USA, gathered in a prayer circle outside the courtroom following the hearing. In the least, such scenes seem to have been exaggerated by the filmmakers. Is that how the last race happened? After the interview we were able to get a picture with them. DAVID DIAZ : He was a very inspirational part. -LA Times. 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. And theres not much to do there. If it were ethical, I would pay to have you go to UCLA, he said, noting that it clearly was not. Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? But U.S. Atty. Ray referred to Felicia Rosario as his "wife," though they were never married. "People discovered who I was, what my background was, and I was assaulted by numerous inmates," Diaz told 17 News. Its grown a little bit in the last two, three years but not much has changed. Diaz would quickly implicate Mara and then suggest others were making money too. But I also understand clearly that while he did not sell his soul, he certainly rented it out.. was like to have a movie made about his BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) 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. Ray was arrested in February 2020 and in April 2022, following a four-week trial, he was convicted on several counts. The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. So Im always looking out for their kids. And when it was suggested Diaz could help rebuild the communitys trust in the police department if only he were allowed the freedom to do so, the judge pounced again, saying he didnt believe that trust damaged so severely by a person given such extraordinary powers could be fully restored. Jim White restarted the program in 1980 after it had been dropped for a year. Bakersfield. Now that he's cooperating with authorities, he has allegedly implicated others in the department, including his former partner . As, as hes retired. inspired to strive for something beyond "McFarland's Family of Champions," are 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. All three girls graduated with degrees in education from Lubbock Christian University in Lubbock, Texas; Tami in 1985, Julie in 1988, and Jami in 1991. Damacio Diaz features in new Hulu documentary "Killing County. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. Plus I love Kevin Costner! Defense attorneys compared the Bakersfield situation to the Los Angeles Police Departments Rampart scandal in the late 1990s, in which corrupt officers tainted cases. And he did. Did that change how you ran in future races? Now we are a runner running through the field, a figure silhouette of a runner. Defendant reserves the . Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick is an executive producer on new Hulu documentary "Killing County," which explores the story of Damacio Diaz. DAMACIO DIAZ : For us, I believe sports, in general, we were already tough kids and we were used to working hard and theyre seven of us in our family. The. Assistant U.S. Atty Brian Delaney said Magallanes was arrested in a separate case and told officials about Diaz. In fact, a blink of an eye as you drive down Highway 99 in California and you will miss it. Damacio Diaz pleaded guilty to bribery, drugtrafficking and tax evasion. Colin Kaepernick's new three-part true crime docuseries, which premieres on Hulu Friday, Feb. 3, tells the story of alleged corruption and cover-up that happened at a police department in a . All Rights Reserved. Damacio Diaz, right, shakes hands with Tomas Valles as the team readies for the start of the Southern section championships in the 1987 season. 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. 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. February 3, 2023, 11:49 PM Part of the docu-series focuses on former Bakersfield Police Officers Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara. This was an all expense paid trip provided by Disney. No foul language or nudity - just fresh air. Whether it be Burglary, Financial Crimes Detail, Homicide, Narcotics Investigations, Sexual Assault, Special Enforcement (Gang), or Vice, he worked in every department at one point or the other. 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. Damacio stated that they were very proud of the way the movie portrayed their story their family. 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. Right now our community is excited obviously with the movie and rightfully so. 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. He offers the kids a chance Thanks! 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. 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. They are portrayed to be 15 and 10, a few years younger than they actually were at the time of the first state title in 1987 (the girls were in college at the time). Their city logo and motto have both been refreshed to express the new outlook of their community. Included in the segment, titled A full house of over three hundred gave a rousing standing ovation to Jim and his wife, Cheryl. He retired in 2003 after 23 years of coaching boys cross country. The former narcotics officer is now known, however, for going to prison in 2016 for charges tied to drugs, bribery and tax fraud. Mara, a 13-year veteran, had 55 cases involving 70 defendants. Girl, 13, Went Missing Last Week, and Suspect Is Arrested on . BAKERSFIELD, Calif. A former Bakersfield Police detective, serving time in prison for his role in a drug ring, has been released. Defendants could seek motions for a new trial or to withdraw pleas in some cases. So, it was a big deal for us. The hearing included impassioned appeals by Diazs brother, wife and daughter, with the two latter witnesses in tears through much of their statements. 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. . View the profiles of people named Damacio Diaz. 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. Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. Disgraced former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz, one of the real-life heroes of the movie "McFarland USA," was sentenced Monday in U . Eguenia was best described by many that All seven Diaz children ran for Jim White and all seven went on to . JIM WHITE : Let me add a little bit of that. But in reality the script that was written, we prayed that it would never happen. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters, (L-R) David Diaz, Danny Diaz and Damacio Diaz attend the premiere of Disney's "McFarland, USA" at the El Capitan Theatre on February 9, 2015 in Hollywood, California. But the guys over here were in decent shape still. He would beat us up all the time. Additionally, Coach White would be there for counseling and fulfilling needs beyond what their parents could afford. They were sooo funny to chat with. "Sometimes I helped them work in the fields," says the real Coach Jim White, "but more importantly, I had practice at a different time. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. That streak ended while the movie was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I status, a byproduct of their success. That the judge would even mention such a possibility underscored the unusual nature of the hearing. Diaz and his brother Danny were on the championship team; a third brother, David, had graduated by then but was included in the movie version. Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) is the new Yes. 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 . 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. A true crime thriller we made set in Kevin McCarthys district. [LAUGHS], Kevin Costner and Carlos Pratts in McFarland, USA. went on to college. [LAUGHS] We didnt do cabbage. We would like your email. All seven Diaz [LAUGHS] We all, all of us are basketball players. interview. I am excited to share with you another great interview from my McFarland, USA press trip. In an extraordinary statement, Judge ONeill spoke directly to Diazs daughter, Caroline. Though according to Damacios own account in the Hulu production, his dreams and aspirations took a complete turn once he witnessed some adrenaline-pumping, actual police work first-hand. DAMACIO DIAZ, by and through his counsel, DAVID A. TORRES, hereby submits Damacio Diaz' Statement in Mitigation for the court's consideration. How much or any input did you have to have on the filming, the making the movie? DAMACIO DIAZ : Mr. White might have more than us. 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 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. The. Danny Diaz, daughter Delia Diaz, Gabriel Leopoldo's father abandoned his wife and children. -John Harte, Yes, and at times the White family paid for new shoes and clothing for the team out of their own pockets. [CHUCKLES] And about two years ago, Mr. White, you help me pull? This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Its grapes and its oranges and its almonds and its cotton and stuff in our area, but those werent available. Sunny to partly cloudy. Then the following season, we were ranked number one for the entire season. In our case, you know, theres seven and my dad worked a lot of hours. We love our dad. Coach White called Thomas over. May God BLESS you all richly. Copyright 2023 Lovebugs and Postcards | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. Many of the citizens of McFarland were extras in the movie. They talk about being DAVID DIAZ : Uh, we donttrain. I wanna know is your mom really that way, because she was a scene stealer? They still believe in him, and so does his attorney, David A. Torres, who said, "He is and was a hero, in my opinion, and he is the same Damacio Diaz he is.". Join Facebook to connect with Damacio Diaz and others you may know. They went back to the original first year that we won state. It taught you discipline. No, the real Coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980. Also, take a closer look at the Diaz family, who had seven children run for McFarland. I cannot thank all of the people involved enough for bringing this story to us. Diaz this summer pleaded guilty to bribery, drug trafficking and tax evasion, and Mara admitted to selling methamphetamine. He also was indicted on charges of disclosing wiretap information to a criminal partner, interfering with a criminal investigation, and other felonies, but those charges were dismissed in the plea agreement. Diaz, a former Bakersfield police detective, is interviewed on camera in Killing County. Wife of public defender who died at Mexico resort speaks out. Delaney was the prosecutor in the case. 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. Danny and Damacio run 3 to 5 miles a day to simply stay in shape. . 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. His performance at the 1987 state meet did help McFarland lock up the title. Diaz was a member of the team that won the state championship. He was a fifth grade teacher and before he was a P.E. Our father never could ever go watch us race. Despite the possible life sentence, a federal judge ruled Diaz can be released. [LAUGHS]. All of us went to college. 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. When one of Diazs attorneys used the word indiscretion to describe Diazs misdeeds, ONeill interrupted. Thank you for reading! And he told me I want them to get their education, so I will go back and get my education. As you pull into McFarland, you will know notice a silhouette of a runner running through an open field. potential at the predominantly Latino high The disgraceful and criminal behavior of Diaz and Mara has gravely impacted the Bakersfield Police Department as well as our community as a whole, she said. Those suckers are, are steep. DAVID DIAZ : And just to let you know, um, Gods good and we own almonds now. According to Torres, the federal system will keep Diaz behind bars for more than four years before he becomes eligible for release. The DOJ said Diaz and Mara deliberately failed to submit seized drugs as evidence and instead provided the stolen narcotics to Carter. She is preceded in death by her husband Damacio Diaz. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. David Diaz is behind Victor wearing a white t-shirt and McFarland hat. "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. 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. And so, I cant keep up with my kids in high school [CHUCKLES], but I go with my little seven-year-old. Silvia was 16 and Herlinda was 14. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Michael Aguero as Damacio Diaz Rafael Martinez as David Diaz Ramiro Rodriguez as Danny Diaz Diana-Maria Riva as Seora Diaz Vanessa Martnez as Maria Marsol Martha Higareda as Lupe Valente Rodriguez as Principal Camillo Chris Ellis as Coach Jenks Eloy Casados as Dale Padilla Natalia Cordova-Buckley as Seora Valles Production [ edit] [CHUCKLES] Same thing happened back in the day when we were kids. But federal agents arrested him at work today. Information from: The Bakersfield Californian, http://www.bakersfield.com. Former detective Patrick Mara was also. 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." We, we basically told our story, got interviewed for hours and hour and hours, and that was pretty much it. So that was my experience for the first time at state having the pressure. So, thats a big change. They spoke often of God and their church, as well as the work they do there. Likely not. These were the guys running in the California heat and winning state titles. McFarland USA, released in 2015and starring Kevin Costner, is based on the McFarland High School cross-country team that won the California championship in 1987. Not exactly. It was really an honor. JIM WHITE : Let, let me add one thing to that. 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. Plus I am a big Kevin Costner fan, I dont think I have ever not liked one of his movies. Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such conduct.". Dozens of Coach Jim White's runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. and preaching in the Church of Christ. Unlike most defendants sentenced to prison for drug trafficking and other serious crimes, Diaz, dressed in a dark suit, walked out of the courthouse Monday afternoon unshackled, temporarily a free man. It reviewed 87 cases. Theres nothing to do in McFarland. On that day, Leopoldo became a man. teacher. In 2018, another man, Noel Carter, from Bakersfield, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Diaz and Mara to distribute drugs, according to federal prosecutors. That day I was fifth runner and I felt so much pressure, but you know, lucky we were able to pull it off. I had never been the top five, and as you know the top five are the ones that score. Davids the oldest and he was a bully. She argued that her husband has learned from his mistakes and should not face any prison time at all. Everyone there is excited about the movie and thenotoriety they have been receiving from it. Still, Williamson said, the corrupt detectives had eroded trust with the community. This included members of the Bakersfield High Drillers. Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Its a poor community. Mr. White had a lot more influence in how this script was written. Were all a year apart. His wife and family, including a brother who works at McFarland high school, all supported him in court Friday afternoon. 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