Now that he's cooperating with authorities, he has allegedly implicated others in the department, including his former partner . Damacio stated that they were very proud of the way the movie portrayed their story their family. 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. "I can't say I was going to jump, but I was thinking about my life and why some people would jump. Go see it with your family! Their actions risked their fellow officers safety for greed.. I understand he did a lot of good before this criminal activity. It was great meeting you on the trip - it was such fun! Ray referred to Felicia Rosario as his "wife," though they were never married. Now college is very encouraged, but back in the dayI wouldnt say that a fifth of the folks in high school ended up [finishing], especially folks of our color and our culture. These men were the real life inspirations for McFarland USA. It reviewed 87 cases. For my son, it pushed him to go to college and do well while he was in high school. Diaz was a member of the team that won the state championship. Diaz initially became well-known after the release of 2015 Disney movie, McFarland USA, starring Kevin Costner. Um, Im running my first half marathon soon, and, um, I just wanna know are those hills what you really trained on? 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.. Assistant U.S. Atty Brian Delaney said Magallanes was arrested in a separate case and told officials about Diaz. The Feds arrested him at the department Friday morning and removed evidence. cross country coach talks about what it And theres not much to do there. Four years ago on a sweltering afternoon, Bakersfield Police Det. FRESNO, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) Former Bakersfield police detective Damacio Diaz was sentenced Monday in federal court to five years in prison. Delaney was the prosecutor in the case. However, similar to the film, Jim White had never been a runner himself and used the bike to follow the team during their workouts. The former NFL player is an executive producer on Hulu's "Killing County.". Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, No. Kevin Costner and others picking in the fields in McFarland, USA. Disney turned it into a. 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. Now we are a runner running through the field, a figure silhouette of a runner. But this is gonna be a family movie, so it is okay. I wanna know is your mom really that way, because she was a scene stealer? 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. 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. I feel safe knowing he is in my corner.. I used to take Damacio and some of hispeers. Kevin Costner (Coach Jim White) and Diana Maria Riva (Seora Diaz) in McFarland, USA. Along with fellow BPD Detective Patrick Mara, 40, the two were sentenced to five years in federal prison. Despite the possible life sentence, a federal judge ruled Diaz can be released. 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. That is definitely true. The best result we found for your search is Damacio Diaz age 50s in Bakersfield, CA. DAMACIO DIAZ, by and through his counsel, DAVID A. TORRES, hereby submits Damacio Diaz' Statement in Mitigation for the court's consideration. Their stories were told in a beautiful way and they are excited Disney picked their tale to tell. 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. it all made sense. The ramifications of the corruption scandal could be large. 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. I wanna know what your guyss first reaction was when you heard that not only was your story going to be a movie but specifically this movie and knowing what these true life, inspirational movies become? Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Although, David did add that his mom is actually much more strict than she is made to be in the movie. About $15,000 stuck out of Magallanes'. Danny and Damacio run 3 to 5 miles a day to simply stay in shape. How did that impact your lives during high school to move on in the future? Four years ago on a sweltering afternoon, Bakersfield Police Det. The story of McFarland started with a cross-country in the '80s. 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. That streak ended while the movie was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I status, a byproduct of their success. He did submit every kind of narcotics to evidence following each bust. The three Diaz brothers featured in the new Disney movie, David, Damacio and Danny, all speak highly of both of their parents. -KGET 17, Yes. His partner, Patrick Mara, admitted to selling methamphetamine. But the guys over here were in decent shape still. 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. That day I was fifth runner and I felt so much pressure, but you know, lucky we were able to pull it off. They are a faith-filled family. On that day, Leopoldo became a man. 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. 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. The legendary former McFarland A full house of over three hundred gave a rousing standing ovation to Jim and his wife, Cheryl. DAMACIO DIAZ : The one that took off real fast, you know. So, Danny youre talking about they made you a little different. We didnt have that close to us. The love they genuinely have for him was heartfelt and true. -LCU.edu, Yes. Many of the citizens of McFarland were extras in the movie. These I was able have aninterview with Jim White and the Diaz brothers (David Diaz, Damacio Diaz and Danny Diaz) who are the real life inspirations behind the McFarland, USA film. -LA Times. No foul language or nudity - just fresh air. It was such a great experience. Delaney was the prosecutor in the case. Yes. White sees the athletic We are no longer theHeartbeat of Agriculture. on their time as cross country runners All Rights Reserved. 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. . You have permission to edit this article. Jim White is to Thomas' right and Gary Adams is to White's right. And it didnt. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. [LAUGHS] We didnt do cabbage. 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. Newsweek has everything you need to know about what happened to Bakersfield cop Damacio Diaz and why he is featured on Killing County. However, he did rebuild the boys and girls cross country programs from the ground up. Those suckers are, are steep. And we try to trip him up on that, and hes very smart in that regard. As you pull into McFarland, you will know notice a silhouette of a runner running through an open field. Leopoldo's father abandoned his wife and children. I still currently run. 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. 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. If they took statements, seized evidence or wrote reports, we will be sending letters to defense attorneys or defendants that represented themselves, she said. went on to college. Danny Diaz, daughter Delia Diaz, Gabriel 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). 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. DANNY DIAZ : Absolutely. CA. SPONSORED LINKS How often do you guys still train together with the new students? ", 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. He gave them information to clean up the department, said his lawyer, David Torres, in an interview. They spoke often of God and their church, as well as the work they do there. Damacio Diaz one of the three Diaz brothers depicted in the 2015 Disney film about the victorious Central Valley team admitted to lying on his tax returns and accepting bribes from an . Damacio Diaz was a subject of the movie McFarland USA and became a Bakersfield police officer. I didnt enjoy it very much. DAMACIO DIAZ : Our kids all compete. Mara was released from a halfway house a month before Diaz, in April 2020, after serving just under four years in federal prison. I can't wait to see this movie! Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. Some, like David Diaz, became teachers themselves. Former detective Patrick Mara was also. 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.". Ray was arrested in February 2020 and in April 2022, following a four-week trial, he was convicted on several counts. There are no shopping malls or large grocery stores. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. They went back to the original first year that we won state. Dozens of Coach Jim White's runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. They threw it out. Plus I love Kevin Costner! Former Bakersfield police detective Damacio Diaz was sentenced Monday in federal court to five years in prison.He pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges. Calif. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. A former Bakersfield Police detective, serving time in prison for his role in a drug ring, has been released. Julie and Jami are depicted in the McFarland, USA movie. I've watched "McFarland" probably more than 200 times. Damacio Diaz was released Friday from a halfway house in Sacramento, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. inspired to strive for something beyond Former Bakersfield Police officers Damacio Diaz, 48, and Patrick Mara, 40, have been released from federal custody, according to the Board of Prison's website. They also plan to seize about $50,000 in cash and a home in an exclusive McFarland neighborhood. By Laura Donaldson On 2/3/23 at 8:00 AM EST We have changed our city logo. Like in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a horrible fight. 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. In May 2020, Diaz was released from a halfway house in Sacramento, where he was staying after serving his time. And, uh, low and behold, Mr. White, during Thanksgiving break, uh, when we have no school, he had an emergency. DAVID DIAZ : Not at all. We all feel grateful and the whole communitys just embracing it. Central Valley. Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? "People discovered who I was, what my background was, and I was assaulted by numerous inmates," Diaz told 17 News. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The charges against Damacio Diaz have people in his hometown in disbelief. McFarland High School is actually just down the road from the Central Valley Correctional Facility, not across the street. And he did. And we were part of the Royal Rangers andwe did that on Tuesday nights at our local church. children ran for Jim White and all seven A true crime thriller we made set in Kevin McCarthys district. Coach White took the orders and delivered them. But, yes, I did that. FRESNO, Calif. Damacio Diaz, 44, of McFarland, formerly a detective with the Bakersfield Police Department, pleaded guilty today to bribery, possession and attempted possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and making and subscribing a false income tax return, Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The Feds arrested him at the. DANNY DIAZ : You know, growing up in McFarland we didnt have much. DANNY DIAZ : Yeah, if you drive600 miles out . 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. Diaz this summer pleaded guilty to bribery, drug trafficking and tax evasion, and Mara admitted to selling methamphetamine. Where are Damacio and Patrick now? He must report to federal authorities before 2 p.m. Dec. 5 to begin serving his sentence. View the profiles of people named Damacio Diaz. He was a fifth grade teacher and before he was a P.E. picking in the fields. All opinions expressed are my own. PE teacher in McFarland, an economically DANNY DIAZ : That is true. A 1997 LA Times article described it as a rickety, worn bicycle, but did not state that it was a girl's bicycle like in the movie. High 61F. DAMACIO DIAZ : Mr. White might have more than us. Disneys McFarland, USA, is helping to put the Diazs hometown on the map across the globe. 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. [LAUGHS]. An elderly couple from Las Vegas were found dead earlier this month in Death Valley National Park, law enforcement officials said. 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. Federal prosecutors in court sentencing documents said Mara had two patrol officers stop a vehicle the detectives knew was carrying 5 pounds of methamphetamine. [LAUGHS], Kevin Costner and Carlos Pratts in McFarland, USA. Damacio stated that they were very proud of the way the movie portrayed their story their family. Diaz was charged with assisting a drug dealer and providing him with names of police informants, and with trafficking drugs that had been seized for evidence. to know what it feels like to be [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. So the only way I could get some of them into some of the fields that I had to do the work with them. -John Harte, Yes, and at times the White family paid for new shoes and clothing for the team out of their own pockets. 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. I notice a lot of you became teachers. The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. Therefore, Damacio pleaded guilty to bribery, possession, attempted possession with the intent to distribute, and false income tax returns on May 31, 2016 hed resigned from BPD months prior. DANNY DIAZ : Im trying to be nice here. Our third man, Jose, he just-. What about the children? 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. Gabriel Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego Diaz, and father and mother Paul and Juanita Diaz. David Diaz is behind Victor wearing a white t-shirt and McFarland hat. It taught you how to accept losing or winning. Under it you read three words:Tradition, Unity, and Excellence. And so, we were just happy that Disney stuck with that first year and were lucky to be in the movie. 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. February 27, 2023 new bill passed in nj for inmates 2022 No Comments . Source: YouTube/KGET Article continues below advertisement The movie is based on the true story of a 1987 cross . Is that still happening in McFarland? As well as accepting illegal bribes, Diaz engaged in drug trafficking while with the BPD. They pocketed 4 pounds and turned in just a pound as evidence, officials said. The detective tipped him off about a Drug Enforcement Administration wiretap that captured him chatting, advising him to lay low, according to documents. Kern County Dist. To you culture, um, is all about community and it takes a village to raise a child. 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. 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. In fact, a blink of an eye as you drive down Highway 99 in California and you will miss it. 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). Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. Magallanes then told another drug dealer to dump his phone. We run three, four, five miles a day just to stay in shape. Many of White's former runners credit him with inspiring them to achieve personal and career goals they would have otherwise deemed impossible (People.com). Did that change how you ran in future races? Patrick Mara, center, speaks while flanked by attorney Fred Gagliardini. We would like your email. Phillip A. Talbert said the two detectives were specially selected for a joint drug task force in a region plagued by methamphetamine. So we have a lot of uncles and everybody has a lot of kids. When I found out that it was Christian driven (truth !) it was in various stages, because this was about a 15-year process for us, my wife and I . So, at that point I was running the sixth man and so I became fifth man and I was, for the first time in my life in the top five. They were cross country state champs in 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Paul Fischer, 73, called the Inyo County . Vida en el Valle file Daniel Casarez. Damacio Diaz - CA Cross Country results and photos on Athletic.net Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. 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. You pick up any type of bug or any type of leaf, he knows what it is. See Who's Searching for You. And believe it or not, before he was a coach, hes a scientist. Clovis PD investigating woman's death, asking public to avoid area. Did Coach White encourage you to use any of his style when youre teaching or coaching? He will then be subject to three years of supervised release. Hi everyone! Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. He did a lot of things for us that our dad couldnt, becauseit financially just wasnt available. No. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. 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. 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. The. I still race competitively even though youre not as good as you once were. But in reality the script that was written, we prayed that it would never happen. Each one of the brothers are land owners in McFarland. "I was standing there. His viewpoint of not changing too much from that aspect I see a definite change. We don't know that anyone was physically injured as a result of it, fortunately. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Thats a long time in jail for someone who once wore a badge.. And so, we have kids that are in high school and some that are in elementary school. Two years later, we signed with another one, not quite that often, but it took a long process. And Johnny was with him. 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 . Its a poor community. A lot of us competed in college. So, that was a real good part of the movie though. Greens office reviewed 87 cases of the detectives involving 123 defendants before deciding to send the letters. 12, The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. 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. DAVID DIAZ : Uh, we donttrain. [LAUGHS] These guys had all the pressure. 6:40 p.m. Oct. 25, 2016: A previous version of this article said the district attorneys office reviewed 108 cases involving the detectives. View Public Details & Court Records. JIM WHITE : Let, let me add one thing to that. Yet this fraud used his position for gain and greed. We dont have the big malls. Jim White, David Diaz, Damacio Diaz and Danny Diaz for McFarland, USA. -KGET 17, Yes. Diaz pleaded guilty last spring as part of a plea agreement that became public in May. Girl, 13, Went Missing Last Week, and Suspect Is Arrested on . Damacio Diaz, former BPD detective who stole drugs and put them back on the street, released from custody Mara was released from a halfway house in April after serving a little less than four years in federal prison.