Damacio Diaz features in new Hulu documentary "Killing County. We all feel grateful and the whole communitys just embracing it. You know we are a God-fearing folks, so we were teaching in Sunday school on Sundays. It taught you how to accept losing or winning. By Laura Donaldson On 2/3/23 at 8:00 AM EST 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. 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. Four years ago on a sweltering afternoon, Bakersfield Police Det. and preaching in the Church of Christ. I had never been the top five, and as you know the top five are the ones that score. The drugs were seized by Bakersfield police officers Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara before being given to Noel Carter, 45, so he could sell them, according to federal prosecutors. That is definitely true. Overall though, they agreed that the picker lifestyle and Latino culture of the community was perfectly captured. But if it werent for sports our kids would be lost, because its either education and sports or the streets. Damacio stated that they were very proud of the way the movie portrayed their story their family. Join Facebook to connect with Damacio Diaz and others you may know. Danny Diaz was not overweight, but he was the seventh runner on the team. Damacio is related to Elizabeth Z Diaz and Delia G Garza as well as 3 additional people. My mom has 12. They pocketed 4 pounds and turned in just a pound as evidence, officials said. When one of Diazs attorneys used the word indiscretion to describe Diazs misdeeds, ONeill interrupted. All seven Diaz Diaz, a 17-year Bakersfield cop, worked on 32 cases involving 53 defendants, with 20 requiring letters, she said. You can read our Kevin Costner Interview about his role as Jim White in the McFarland, USA movie. 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. She was amazing in the movie. [CHUCKLES] When we were growing up, maybe seven, eight, nine, ten thousand people is the population. 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. -KGET 17. But federal agents arrested him at work today. We have also done internal investigations on many allegations that were made and once again they have been unable to uncover anything. Damacio Diaz was a subject of the movie McFarland USA and became a Bakersfield police officer. According to Torres, the federal system will keep Diaz behind bars for more than four years before he becomes eligible for release. Additionally, Coach White would be there for counseling and fulfilling needs beyond what their parents could afford. [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. [LAUGHS]. DANNY DIAZ : And we played basketball the entire week. The story of McFarland started with a cross-country in the '80s. Mr. White had a lot more influence [on the script]. Ray was arrested in February 2020 and in April 2022, following a four-week trial, he was convicted on several counts. [CHUCKLES] And, and we didnt train and we got fifth that year. Second, he expressed sympathy regarding the educational quandary in which she finds herself. DAMACIO DIAZ : Our kids all compete. DANNY DIAZ : Running in the race, Mr. White and the rest of the guys were telling me Joses out of it. Its a poor community. 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. But Mr. White was our second father. White sees the athletic We signed with this one company. Their parents are also highly regarded by each of them and they obviously have a deep love for the family unit. No. [LAUGHS], JIM WHITE : Let, let me answer that, cause when Mrs. Diaz saw this film the first time, she came out and she said I love the film, but they didnt make me strict enough.. Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) is the new Damacio Diaz, former BPD detective who stole drugs and put them back on the street, released from custody Local photojournalist John Harte, who followed the team at the time, says that he witnessed opposing teams offer genuine handshakes of good luck. DAMACIO DIAZ, by and through his counsel, DAVID A. TORRES, hereby submits Damacio Diaz' Statement in Mitigation for the court's consideration. Wife of California doctor who drove family off cliff in Tesla doesn't want him prosecuted . CA. Carter would then could sell those narcotics for profit. Kevin Costner (Coach Jim White) and Diana Maria Riva (Seora Diaz) in McFarland, USA. Sports in high school can make or break a young man. A full house of over three hundred gave a rousing standing ovation to Jim and his wife, Cheryl. [LAUGHS] Theymade me, uh . McFarland, USA (2015) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by Niki Caro Writing Credits Cast (in credits order) verified as complete Produced by Music by Antonio Pinto Cinematography by Adam Arkapaw . I notice a lot of you became teachers. The. Interview with Big Hero 6 Directors Don Hall and Chris Williams, Behind the scenes of Big Hero 6 Bonus Content with FEAST Director Patrick Osborne. We then wanted to know, "How much, if any, input did you have to have on the filming and the making the movie?Damacio Diaz: Mr. White might have had more than us. No. We maybe started school but hardly any of us finished. Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? was like to have a movie made about his We [LAUGHS], we played basket. Ray referred to Felicia Rosario as his "wife," though they were never married. Yes. Diaz pleaded guilty last spring as part of a plea agreement that became public in May. 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. -LA Times. 6:40 p.m. Oct. 25, 2016: A previous version of this article said the district attorneys office reviewed 108 cases involving the detectives. Girl, 13, Went Missing Last Week, and Suspect Is Arrested on . They went back to the original first year that we won state. In fact, a blink of an eye as you drive down Highway 99 in California and you will miss it. When the informant left, the narcotics detective found just under $1,000 in the passenger-side door pocket. So for us, it was a way of life. 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. 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. Yet this fraud used his position for gain and greed. However, it was later revealed that BPD Detectives Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara were involved in making Ramirez an informant. How did that impact your lives during high school to move on in the future? 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. And we try to trip him up on that, and hes very smart in that regard. DAMACIO DIAZ : He was our seventh man actually. 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. Assistant U.S. Atty Brian Delaney said Magallanes was arrested in a separate case and told officials about Diaz. Do you feel like the movie does a good job of describing that culture (of family and pickers)? Damacio Diaz was sitting in his car alongside informant Guillermo "Memo" Magallanes. But his chief is ready to turn his back. February 27, 2023 new bill passed in nj for inmates 2022 No Comments . In an extraordinary statement, Judge ONeill spoke directly to Diazs daughter, Caroline. Newsweek has everything you need to know about what happened to Bakersfield cop Damacio Diaz and why he is featured on Killing County. He offers the kids a chance 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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. 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. Kern County Dist. In May 2020, Diaz was released from a halfway house in Sacramento, where he was staying after serving his time. Some of these teams that came after us were way better than us, way better than me as far as the running. If they took statements, seized evidence or wrote reports, we will be sending letters to defense attorneys or defendants that represented themselves, she said. The community of McFarland still works as a village to raise their youth. His viewpoint of not changing too much from that aspect I see a definite change. 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. I used to take Damacio and some of hispeers. Both men are currently in halfway houses, Diaz in the Sacramento area and Mara in the Long Beach area. This was an all expense paid trip provided by Disney. The sentence received Monday was more lenient than prosecutors had urged for Damacio Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the Bakersfield Police Department. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Defendant reserves the . Is that still happening in McFarland? The Feds arrested him at the department Friday morning and removed evidence. Low 44F. And so, we have a great dad. All seven Diaz children ran for Jim White and all seven went on to . pic.twitter.com/qKxl7i5dfn. DAMACIO DIAZ : The one that took off real fast, you know. Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? He got into the truck and began to talk with Coach White about his difficulties at home. Still, Williamson said, the corrupt detectives had eroded trust with the community. Jim White restarted the program in 1980 after it had been dropped for a year. 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. An elderly couple from Las Vegas were found dead earlier this month in Death Valley National Park, law enforcement officials said. The. September 22, 2016, 12:07 PM. - 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. 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. 12, The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. Hi everyone! 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. JIM WHITE : From my aspect, I guess it was in various stages, because this was about a 15-year process for my wife and I. Posted on Published: February 18, 2015- Last updated: August 7, 2022. Even some of us, after graduating college, like Danny, the day after he graduated from the university with the diploma, he was in the fields working, because that was, in our family, what was expecteduntil he got hired and got his job. Damacio Diaz said he doesn't recognize the man he was three years ago when he was a detective working for Bakersfield police. Their stories were told in a beautiful way and they are excited Disney picked their tale to tell. But, yes, I did that. Uh, it was 1988 and I was a senior at that time and my brother, Damacio, was a junior. 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 . The Feds said Diaz was cheating the system in several ways -- for one, by stealing cash for drug buys or stealing the drugs from drug buys. Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. it all made sense. Still, it was rarely the entire quantity as he, his partner Patrick Mara, as well as an associate, reportedly had this combined side hustle. 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. Jim White is the main character of the sports drama film McFarland, USA. May God BLESS you all richly. 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. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. It does take a village [CHUCKLES] to raise, a child. We dont have the big malls. Back then, McFarland was largely white demographically. DAMACIO DIAZ : Go ahead and call it. Diaz and his partner, Patrick Mara, later admitted to ripping off drug dealers of their methamphetamine during traffic stops. All Rights Reserved. Damacio Diaz - CA Cross Country results and photos on Athletic.net 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. I am excited to share with you another great interview from my McFarland, USA press trip. Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such conduct.". Coach Jim White and his wife, Cheryl, with team member Thomas Valles at the 1987 California Southern Area cross country meet at Hart Park in Bakersfield. Juanita Diaz. Oh, its more than an indiscretion, he said. PrepCalTrack.com conducted this Jim White When the informant left, the narcotics detective found just under $1,000 in the passenger-side door pocket. See Sites with Your Personal Info. On one occasion, Mrs. Diaz made 200 dozen tamales to send the team to Asia. They spoke often of God and their church, as well as the work they do there. When I found out that it was Christian driven (truth !) 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). The film is based on a true story, about how American cross country coach James "Jim" White coached the team of Hispanic kids at McFarland High School, from nobodies to mysteries to the racing community. What about the children? Eliu Garza, also a McFarland High runner, is . Inspired by the irony of his last name, "Blanco" was one of the nicknames that the kids and their families gave Jim White. David is represented in the McFarland, USA movie along with two of his brothers, Damacio and Danny. 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. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. Yes. Phillip A. Talbert said the two detectives were specially selected for a joint drug task force in a region plagued by methamphetamine. They were sooo funny to chat with. on their time as cross country runners Former detective Patrick Mara was also. This hearing is not about telling someone they are no good, ONeill said. So, thatwas good. Mara was released from a halfway house in April after serving a little less than four years in federal prison. Thats what they wanted to do and Im just excited to be included in the movie. Now we are a runner running through the field, a figure silhouette of a runner. Yes. Two years later, we signed with another one, not quite that often, but it took a long process. [Asking Danny referring to the last race of the first year]. Damacio Diaz pleaded guilty to bribery, drugtrafficking and tax evasion. Two misdemeanor prostitution cases in which Diaz as an undercover detective was the only witness have already been dismissed. 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. It taught you discipline. In the least, such scenes seem to have been exaggerated by the filmmakers. DAVID DIAZ : He was a very inspirational part. The former NFL player is an executive producer on Hulu's "Killing County.". Jim White moves his family after losing his last job as a football coach, and at his new school he turns seven disappointing students into one of the best cross-country teams in the region. 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. [LAUGHS] These guys had all the pressure. There are no shopping malls or large grocery stores. Did Coach White encourage you to use any of his style when youre teaching or coaching? And theres not much to do there. 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. The Bakersfield Californian says (http://bit.ly/2dGESLb) the U.S. Attorneys Office recommended between 17 and 22 years. 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. potential at the predominantly Latino high It was really an honor. 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. 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. DAMACIO DIAZ : Yeah, were very, very proud of the way the movie portrayed us, our family. Disgraced former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz, one of the real-life heroes of the movie "McFarland USA," was sentenced Monday in U . DANNY DIAZ : We didnt train. 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif., (KBAK/KBFX) Damacio Diaz, a former Detective for the Bakersfield Police Department, has been released from federal custody. Damacio Diaz, photo courtesy of Mama Latina Tips. About $15,000 stuck out of Magallanes shorts. 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. 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. Jim White is to Thomas' right and Gary Adams is to White's right. FRESNO, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) Former Bakersfield police detective Damacio Diaz was sentenced Monday in federal court to five years in prison. As stated above, the real Jim White started teaching in the McFarland School District straight out of college in 1964. Thats why we had the sixth and seventh runner on a team. it was in various stages, because this was about a 15-year process for us, my wife and I . picking in the fields. Eguenia was best described by many that We were raised in the field, it was our life. 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 . Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, No. Coach White called Thomas over. Gabriel Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego Diaz, and father and mother Paul and Juanita Diaz. [LAUGHS], Kevin Costner and Carlos Pratts in McFarland, USA. 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. We were racing big races and trying to accomplish big things, so we looked at Mr. White as our dad. 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. [LAUGHS] And we dont have the big grocery stores. JIM WHITE : Thomas. Facebook gives people the power to. It reviewed 87 cases. The three Diaz brothers featured in the new Disney movie, David, Damacio and Danny, all speak highly of both of their parents. I still race competitively even though youre not as good as you once were. Also, take a closer look at the Diaz family, who had seven children run for McFarland. Diaz will be sentenced for three federal counts on October 3rd. In Boise, Idaho, 1987, Jim White and his title of coach is signifying his status as a . Thomas Valles went on to become a prison guard (LA Times). Many of the citizens of McFarland were extras in the movie. He will have about two months to think about what comes next. Would they flee bargain the same way with non-police criminals? Damacio Diaz, 48, is scheduled for release on May 10 while Patrick Mara, 40, is expected to be free on April 20, according to Federal Bureau of Prisons records. They were cross country state champs in 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001. However, it happened a little differently than in the movie. 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. He had to take off to Stockton to, to be with his family with a family situation and he left us there to, to train on our own. 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. Plus I am a big Kevin Costner fan, I dont think I have ever not liked one of his movies. Delaney acknowledged that Diaz provided information that was helpful in bringing charges against his former police partner, Patrick Mara, whose own sentencing is scheduled Oct. 17. High 61F. However, he did rebuild the boys and girls cross country programs from the ground up. 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. 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.
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