It reviewed 87 cases. 1998 July - Damacio Diaz hired by the Bakersfield Police Department. Now we are a runner running through the field, a figure silhouette of a runner. And then Disney resigned us and got a better script writer. That the judge would even mention such a possibility underscored the unusual nature of the hearing. Mara, a 13-year veteran, had 55 cases involving 70 defendants. 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. His viewpoint of not changing too much from that aspect I see a definite change. champions. . More than 100 convictions were overturned as a result. 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. We signed with this one company. Real-Life Diaz Brothers Discuss Growing Up in McFarland, USA -KGET 17, Yes. 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. Former narcotics detective Damacio Diaz has accepted a plea deal in connection with federal charges that could send him to prison for life. Acting U.S. Atty. During the investigation, five other officers were placed on administrative leave related to the investigation and one recently resigned. Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz. You know we are a God-fearing folks, so we were teaching in Sunday school on Sundays. [LAUGHS] Much worse. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. 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. She is preceded in death by her husband Damacio Diaz. It taught you how to accept losing or winning. Despite the possible life sentence, a federal judge ruled Diaz can be released. I have seven kids myself and all of us have a lot of kids. The DOJ said Diaz and Mara deliberately failed to submit seized drugs as evidence and instead provided the stolen narcotics to Carter. His performance at the 1987 state meet did help McFarland lock up the title. 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 . Low 44F. Many of the citizens of McFarland were extras in the movie. Eliu Garza, also a McFarland High runner, is . Disgraced Bakersfield Police Detective Sentenced To Five Years DANNY DIAZ : Running in the race, Mr. White and the rest of the guys were telling me Joses out of it. She argued that her husband has learned from his mistakes and should not face any prison time at all. McFarland, USA - Wikipedia To you culture, um, is all about community and it takes a village to raise a child. There are no shopping malls or large grocery stores. In 2018, another man, Noel Carter, from Bakersfield, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Diaz and Mara to distribute drugs, according to federal prosecutors. About $15,000 stuck out of Magallanes'. Damacio Diaz, photo courtesy of Mama Latina Tips. 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 . He offers the kids a chance Diaz then began cooperating with federal investigators and named other cops he said were corrupt. 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. They talk about being inspired to strive for something beyond picking in the fields. Damacio Diaz was sitting in his car alongside informant Guillermo Memo Magallanes. RAW VIDEO: Former BPD detective Damacio Diaz reacts to 5-year - YouTube Jim White and the Diaz Brothers with our Group for McFarland, USA. 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. We would like your email. 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. A true crime thriller we made set in Kevin McCarthys district. 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. Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. DAMACIO DIAZ : He was our seventh man actually. PE teacher in McFarland, an economically JIM WHITE : Let, let me add one thing to that. DANNY DIAZ : Yeah, if you drive600 miles out . White retired in 2002 afterteaching in McFarland schools for 40 years and coaching for 25 years. 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. -KGET 17. 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. Like in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a horrible fight. 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. His life story had been portrayed in the Disney movie "McFarland, USA". Damacio Diaz, right, shakes hands with Tomas Valles as the team readies for the start of the Southern section championships in the 1987 season. DAMACIO DIAZ : Yeah, were very, very proud of the way the movie portrayed us, our family. However, it happened a little differently than in the movie. Damacio Diaz said he doesn't recognize the man he was three years ago when he was a detective working for Bakersfield police. Thomas Valles went on to become a prison guard (LA Times). Speaking of running, we asked the Diaz brothers if they still run. They were cross country state champs in 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001. Chance of rain 40%. DAMACIO DIAZ, by and through his counsel, DAVID A. TORRES, hereby submits Damacio Diaz' Statement in Mitigation for the court's consideration. 'McFarland USA' runner Damacio Diaz gets prison - The Mercury News Calif. September 22, 2016, 12:07 PM. Yet this fraud used his position for gain and greed. No, the real Coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980. The hearing included impassioned appeals by Diazs brother, wife and daughter, with the two latter witnesses in tears through much of their statements. Federal prosecutors in court sentencing documents said Mara had two patrol officers stop a vehicle the detectives knew was carrying 5 pounds of methamphetamine. 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. 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 . DAVID DIAZ : So, it helps you running wise and mentally wise, as well, because you have to endure that steepness, if you will. 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. So the only way I could get some of them into some of the fields that I had to do the work with them. Plus, David still runs competitively and coaches. Where Is Damacio Diaz Now? 'Killing County' Catches up With Him - 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. So, thatwas good. Under it you read three words:Tradition, Unity, and Excellence. Mr. White had a lot more influence [on the script]. Silvia was 16 and Herlinda was 14. White and many other family members and friends were in court to support Diaz. Mr. Diaz, their dad Paul, he pushed education real hard, too. These were the guys running in the California heat and winning state titles. 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. Disgraced detective whose story was told in 'McFarland USA' gets prison Diaz, who has been allowed to remain free throughout the process, cooperated fully with investigators, according to the prosecution. With Kevin Costner, Ramiro Rodriguez, Carlos Pratts, Johnny Ortiz. The community of McFarlandis important to them. The former teammates arenot only working in their hometown, but also raising their families there andactively supporting the cross-country teams of today by coaching, helping outwith the meets and practices and donating goods or money so the teams havewhat they need. Newsweek has everything you need to know about what happened to Bakersfield cop Damacio Diaz and why. Youre driving on 99, the freeway, and you blink and youll miss it. They couldve chosen any other team, because we have nine state titles. Jim White is to Thomas' right and Gary Adams is to White's right. They went back to the original first year that we won state. McFarland, USA (2015) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb 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. And it didnt. 'Killing County' features former BPD officers Jim White is the main character of the sports drama film McFarland, USA. Phillip A. Talbert said the two detectives were specially selected for a joint drug task force in a region plagued by methamphetamine. These guys are amazing and it was a pleasure meeting them and listening to them. country team. DAMACIO DIAZ : Mr. White might have more than us. 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. Keep an eye on your inbox for updates. Eugenia Diaz Obituary (1918 - 2012) - San Antonio, TX - San Antonio Thanks! This hearing is not about telling someone they are no good, ONeill said. 6:40 p.m. Oct. 25, 2016: A previous version of this article said the district attorneys office reviewed 108 cases involving the detectives. So, with myself, they [CHUCKLES] made me chubby in the movie. View Others. Learn more about the McFarland, USA true story by watching the Jim White interview below. Thomas Valles | You can't have my job, but I'll tell you a story 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. It is a day I truly regret and a decision that has changed my entire life.. Juanita Diaz. After his father left, Leopoldo and his mother decided to pack . 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. "Sometimes I helped them work in the fields," says the real Coach Jim White, "but more importantly, I had practice at a different time. So , DANNY DIAZ : Mr. White never went back to Stockton never again. I wanna know is your mom really that way, because she was a scene stealer? But the guys over here were in decent shape still. 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. That decision also rocked the Kern County criminal justice system, marking the beginning of an ugly police corruption scandal involving cash, drugs and protection. He went back and got it. pic.twitter.com/qKxl7i5dfn. I've watched "McFarland" probably more than 200 times. Bakersfield Police Corruption Scandal Could Have Wide Impact Damacio Diaz, former BPD detective who stole drugs and put them back on the street, released from custody MCFARLAND USA: An Interview with Legendary Coach Jim White The. Damacio is related to Elizabeth Z Diaz and Delia G Garza as well as 3 additional people. (I am in the red in the back betweenDamacio and Danny). It gave you character. 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. The movie pushes up his arrival and coaching position at McFarland to 1987, the first year his cross country team attended and won the state championship (1987 was also the very first year that California had a state championship). What Happened to Damacio Diaz? Were all a year apart. My mom has 12. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges he. The corruption scandal broke in November 2015 when federal agents arrested Bakersfield Police Detective Damacio Diaz for helping traffic methamphetamines. The community of McFarland still works as a village to raise their youth. Then the following season, we were ranked number one for the entire season. They are amazing guys who still have that humble hardworking attitude! Diaz, a 17-year Bakersfield cop, worked on 32 cases involving 53 defendants, with 20 requiring letters, she said. BPD detective arrested for drug trafficking It was such a great experience. Our father never could ever go watch us race. We are no longer theHeartbeat of Agriculture. -John Harte, Yes, and at times the White family paid for new shoes and clothing for the team out of their own pockets. And he told me I want them to get their education, so I will go back and get my education. I still currently run. February 3, 2023, 11:49 PM Part of the docu-series focuses on former Bakersfield Police Officers Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara. JIM WHITE : Ive done it quite often. No. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. It was a huge fall from grace for Diaz, who was well known in the Central Valley as being a member of the high school cross-country running team portrayed in the 2015 Disney movie McFarland, USA.. Diaz this summer pleaded guilty to bribery, drug trafficking and tax evasion, and Mara admitted to selling methamphetamine. McFarland, USA: Directed by Niki Caro. [LAUGHS]. FRESNO Disgraced former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court to five years in federal prison a far more lenient sentence than prosecutors had urged for offenses including drug trafficking, taking bribes and lying on his tax return. On one occasion, Mrs. Diaz made 200 dozen tamales to send the team to Asia. The 16-count indictment against the 17-year police veteran includes bribery and trafficking methamphetamine. Coach White took the orders and delivered them. We love our dad. 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. Damacio Diaz was sitting in his car alongside informant Guillermo "Memo" Magallanes. According to Torres, the federal system will keep Diaz behind bars for more than four years before he becomes eligible for release. Former Bakersfield Police Department Detective Sentenced to 5 Years in Damacio Diaz, former BPD detective who stole drugs and put - KGET 17 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 Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! He was a fifth grade teacher and before he was a P.E. 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. As he walked a Hollywood red carpet in February and talked to Action News anchor Graciela Moreno about McFarland USA, little did Diaz know his life was ready to unravel. They were sooo funny to chat with. For my son, it pushed him to go to college and do well while he was in high school. 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. [CHUCKLES]. Damacio stated that they were very proud of the way the movie portrayed their story their family. But even worse, they say he tipped off the drug dealer when police might be coming his way, even giving the guy information from a secret wiretap. Disgraced cop's 5-year sentence a fraction of prosection's Patrick Mara, center, speaks while flanked by attorney Fred Gagliardini. However, it was later revealed that BPD Detectives Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara were involved in making Ramirez an informant. This one looks awesome, can't wait to see it. Soon Diaz and Mara were getting into other illegal activities, authorities said. That is definitely true. Defendant reserves the . As well as accepting illegal bribes, Diaz engaged in drug trafficking while with the BPD. Damacio Diaz (R) and guest attend the Bakersfield Special Screening of "McFarland, USA" in Bakersfield, CA on Feb. 15th, 2015. In Boise, Idaho, 1987, Jim White and his title of coach is signifying his status as a . He is amazing. Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego He says that 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. So, for us it was normal. Former BPD officers who resold seized drugs released from federal Colin Kaepernick releases trailer for new true crime docuseries That is why it was so amazing and cool that I got to interview Jim White, David Diaz, Damacio Diaz, and Danny Diaz. Bakersfield. McFarland, USA (2015) - IMDb A look at the real "McFarland USA" kids and coach Jim White ", Colin Kaepernick pictured at the NBA game between the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics at Scotiabank Arena on December 5, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. 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. Did Coach White encourage you to use any of his style when youre teaching or coaching? Defense attorneys compared the Bakersfield situation to the Los Angeles Police Departments Rampart scandal in the late 1990s, in which corrupt officers tainted cases. FRESNO, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) Former Bakersfield police detective Damacio Diaz was sentenced Monday in federal court to five years in prison. 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.