White and many other family members and friends were in court to support Diaz. My parents definitely pushed us to go that route and not thewide road most people go to is other than college. went on to college. All seven Diaz children ran for Jim White and all seven went on to . Facebook gives people the power to. According to Torres, the federal system will keep Diaz behind bars for more than four years before he becomes eligible for release. Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) is the new . His attorney says he should be home for the holidays and then back in court in Fresno in January. Diaz was a member of the team that won the state championship. Damacio Diaz features in new Hulu documentary "Killing County. Diaz was not remanded into custody. DAMACIO DIAZ : Yeah, we just run, Danny and I, just to stay in shape. 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. Yes. Back then, McFarland was largely white demographically. The love they genuinely have for him was heartfelt and true. under Coach Jim White at McFarland High Damacio Diaz - CA Cross Country results and photos on Athletic.net Diaz pleaded guilty last spring as part of a plea agreement that became public in May. And he did. We maybe started school but hardly any of us finished. Damacio Diaz, photo courtesy of Mama Latina Tips. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Tom Sizemore dead at 61 after suffering brain aneurysm, Crews helping residents stranded by snow in Mariposa County, Home catches fire in snow-covered neighborhood in North Fork. Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. They became the drug traffickers themselves, he said. However, similar to the film, Jim White had never been a runner himself and used the bike to follow the team during their workouts. However, it was later revealed that BPD Detectives Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara were involved in making Ramirez an informant. Where are Damacio and Patrick now? Those are the two extremes and those are the two options that are there for our community. Carter would then could sell those narcotics for profit. I never had pressure. DAVID DIAZ : He was a very inspirational part. Eliu Garza, also a McFarland High runner, is . He offers the kids a chance 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. Damacio Diaz was sitting in his car alongside informant Guillermo Memo Magallanes. Yes. Diaz did a lot of good things, Delaney said. No, the real Coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980. But this is gonna be a family movie, so it is okay. It was such a great experience. Ray referred to Felicia Rosario as his "wife," though they were never married. They spoke often of God and their church, as well as the work they do there. They also plan to seize about $50,000 in cash and a home in an exclusive McFarland neighborhood. And so, we were just happy that Disney stuck with that first year and were lucky to be in the movie. By Laura Donaldson On 2/3/23 at 8:00 AM EST Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, No. Not the right Damacio Diaz? Damacio Diaz was released Friday from a halfway house in Sacramento, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Damacio Diaz found himself on the other side of the law when he was convicted and sentenced for his role in selling drugs stolen from a Bakersfield Police Department evidence room. It gave you character. How much or any input did you have to have on the filming, the making the movie? Here's what we know. However, he did rebuild the boys and girls cross country programs from the ground up. (I am in the red in the back betweenDamacio and Danny). The ramifications of the corruption scandal could be large. A lot of us competed in college. 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 a subject of the movie McFarland USA and became a Bakersfield police officer. An elderly couple from Las Vegas were found dead earlier this month in Death Valley National Park, law enforcement officials said. What is going on here is really outrageous, said criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos. 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 . His performance at the 1987 state meet did help McFarland lock up the title. Disgraced former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz, one of the real-life heroes of the movie "McFarland USA," was sentenced Monday in U . The highest homicide rate The most crime. With Kevin Costner, Ramiro Rodriguez, Carlos Pratts, Johnny Ortiz. Theres nothing to do in McFarland. 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. The best result we found for your search is Damacio Diaz age 50s in Bakersfield, CA. Yes. But I also understand clearly that while he did not sell his soul, he certainly rented it out.. 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 . You have permission to edit this article. It was really an honor. As well as accepting illegal bribes, Diaz engaged in drug trafficking while with the BPD. But in reality the script that was written, we prayed that it would never happen. Dozens of Coach Jim White's runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. Plus, David still runs competitively and coaches. . 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. 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. 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. However, it happened a little differently than in the movie. But the guys over here were in decent shape still. Talbert said that we concluded no officers were complicit in joining Diaz and Mara, and that no further prosecutions were planned at this time. Each one of the brothers are land owners in McFarland. [CHUCKLES] And about two years ago, Mr. White, you help me pull? People Search [LAUGHS] We didnt do cabbage. 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 . Their mom and dad worked hard and pushed the boys even harder to succeed and do well. Go see it with your family! -John Harte, Yes, and at times the White family paid for new shoes and clothing for the team out of their own pockets. It reviewed 87 cases. 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. 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. 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. We all feel grateful and the whole communitys just embracing it. Juanita Diaz. 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. I notice a lot of you became teachers. Our father never could ever go watch us race. Damacio Diaz, right, shakes hands with Tomas Valles as the team readies for the start of the Southern section championships in the 1987 season. Coach White concurred and said their mom even asked why they didnt make her strict enough. Killing County is scheduled to premiere on Hulu on Friday, February 3. I had never been the top five, and as you know the top five are the ones that score. This one looks awesome, can't wait to see it. His partner, Patrick Mara, admitted to selling methamphetamine. Yes. So we have a lot of uncles and everybody has a lot of kids. teacher. But, yes, I did that. Four years ago on a sweltering afternoon, Bakersfield Police Det. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges he. Mara was released from a halfway house a month before Diaz, in April 2020, after serving just under four years in federal prison. Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. Atty. Sunny to partly cloudy. 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. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! But I still do that and I coach. And underneath and this was given out to the high school and a high school girl came up with this logo Tradition, Unity, and Excellence. The Diaz brothers represent 3 of the 7 runners from the McFarland Cross Country team of 1987. That streak ended while the movie was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I status, a byproduct of their success. It was fat. White sees the athletic Diaz initially became well-known after the release of 2015 Disney movie, McFarland USA, starring Kevin Costner.. Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Thank you for reading! This behavior became common, prosecutors said. 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. Central Valley. Disgraced cop's 5-year sentence a fraction of prosection's recommendation, Corrupt cops compel Kern DA to inform defense attorneys about 'tainted' cases. Local photojournalist John Harte, who followed the team at the time, says that he witnessed opposing teams offer genuine handshakes of good luck. [CHUCKLES] Same thing happened back in the day when we were kids. Gabriel Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego Diaz, and father and mother Paul and Juanita Diaz. Hes a pretty good coach, too. Newsweek has everything you need to know about what happened to Bakersfield cop Damacio Diaz and why he is featured on Killing County. Do you feel like the movie does a good job of describing that culture (of family and pickers)? 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. SPONSORED LINKS 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. We, we basically told our story, got interviewed for hours and hour and hours, and that was pretty much it. Richard Winton is an investigative crime writer for the Los Angeles Times and part of the team that won the Pulitzer Prize for public service in 2011. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Damacio Diaz said he doesn't recognize the man he was three years ago when he was a detective working for Bakersfield police. 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. Mr. Diaz, their dad Paul, he pushed education real hard, too. Join Facebook to connect with Damacio Diaz and others you may know. Damacio Diaz, former BPD detective who stole drugs and put them back on the street, released from custody In other words, he joined the Tulare Police Department as a low-level officer in August 1996 just to work hard and be able to move on to Bakersfield as a detective precisely two years later. Los Angeles, Downtown L.A stabbing sends six to hospital; 1 arrested, San Diego Roman Catholic diocese facing yet another lawsuit from its insurance company, K-Pop isnt the only hot ticket in Koreatown how trot is captivating immigrants, Los Angeles is suddenly awash in waterfalls, Officials unprepared for epic mountain blizzard, leaving many trapped and desperate. [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. They went back to the original first year that we won state. and last updated 2016-10-03 21:34:05-04. When the informant left, the narcotics detective found just under $1,000 in the passenger-side door pocket. Honestly, as we sat and talked with the Diaz brothers 3things were very apparent. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. We basically told our story, got interviewed for hours and hour and hours, and that was pretty much it. Delaney was the prosecutor in the case. Thanks! She changed her plans following her fathers indictment. Federal authorities say 43-year-old Damacio Diaz took bribes from a narcotics dealer, and, in exchange, provided the names of police informants, gave details of law enforcement investigations, and tried to protect him from arrest. [CHUCKLES] When we were growing up, maybe seven, eight, nine, ten thousand people is the population. And then Disney resigned us and got a better script writer. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. This included members of the Bakersfield High Drillers. 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. In an extraordinary statement, Judge ONeill spoke directly to Diazs daughter, Caroline. DANNY DIAZ : You know, growing up in McFarland we didnt have much. Although, the brothers did say that the town hasnt really changed much, Coach White has noticed one big change. They appeared happy to be with us, and they enjoyed sharing their behind the scenes stories about the . So the only way I could get some of them into some of the fields that I had to do the work with them. Damacio Diaz is one of the subjects of new Hulu documentary Killing County. 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. Newsweek has everything you need to know about what happened to Bakersfield cop Damacio Diaz and why. A South Valley legend so popular he became the subject of a Disney movie has taken a hard fall. on their time as cross country runners PrepCalTrack.com conducted this Jim White And thatsthe one we have now. 6:40 p.m. Oct. 25, 2016: A previous version of this article said the district attorneys office reviewed 108 cases involving the detectives. 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. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. -KGET 17. 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. Under it you read three words:Tradition, Unity, and Excellence. We are no longer theHeartbeat of Agriculture. "He told me to take my wife out on a date or buy my kids something," Diaz would later. 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. [Asking Danny referring to the last race of the first year]. We have changed our city logo. 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. Damacio Diaz, 43, of McFarland, California, a detective with the Bakersfield, California, Police Department (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 U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner of the Eastern District of California . 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.