Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. Mr. White had a lot more influence [on the script]. teacher. About $15,000 stuck out of Magallanes shorts. Keep an eye on your inbox for updates. 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). Mara, a 13-year veteran, had 55 cases involving 70 defendants. Dozens of Coach Jim White's runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. We shouldve had first. Bakersfield. The detective tipped him off about a Drug Enforcement Administration wiretap that captured him chatting, advising him to lay low, according to documents. DANNY DIAZ : We didnt train. 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. Posted on Published: February 18, 2015- Last updated: August 7, 2022. Theres nothing to do in McFarland. And then Disney resigned us and got a better script writer. Danny and Damacio run 3 to 5 miles a day to simply stay in shape. Jim White and the Diaz Brothers with our Group for McFarland, USA. 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 hearing included impassioned appeals by Diazs brother, wife and daughter, with the two latter witnesses in tears through much of their statements. He called it a fair sentence, under the circumstances, and rejected the suggestion that it was an example of dual justice: one set of standards for those viewed with favor by the system, and another set for those without resources or with no history of working in the criminal justice system. I still currently run. I never had pressure. [LAUGHS], Kevin Costner and Carlos Pratts in McFarland, USA. They were cross country state champs in 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001. 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. Disneys McFarland, USA, is helping to put the Diazs hometown on the map across the globe. That was something that we did since we were third, fourth, fifth graders and by the time we got to college and were now training and, and running and living our lives with Mr. White some of us traveled out of the state, out of the country with Mr. White it became something that was gonna help us get out of our environment, and it did. However, it was later revealed that BPD Detectives Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara were involved in making Ramirez an informant. The movie is based on the true story of a 1987 cross . cross country coach talks about what it September 22, 2016, 12:07 PM. It was such a great experience. The 16-count indictment against the 17-year police veteran includes bribery and trafficking methamphetamine. Both had their sentences reduced. Plus I love Kevin Costner! 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. It taught you how to accept losing or winning. children ran for Jim White and all seven No, the real Coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980. They couldve chosen any other team, because we have nine state titles. All of us went to college. 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 . Chance of rain 40%. 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 Monday to five years in federal prison. DAVID DIAZ : So, it helps you running wise and mentally wise, as well, because you have to endure that steepness, if you will. Atty. I had never been the top five, and as you know the top five are the ones that score. They were sooo funny to chat with. You can read our Kevin Costner Interview about his role as Jim White in the McFarland, USA movie. Damacio stated that they were very proud of the way the movie portrayed their story their family. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Delaney shakes hands with former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz in this file photo from Diaz's Oct. 3 sentencing. The most police executions. -KGET 17, Yes. Our father never could ever go watch us race. to know what it feels like to be Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. director of photography Film Editing by David Coulson Casting By Sheila Jaffe Production Design by Richard Hoover Its a poor community. That streak ended while the movie was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I status, a byproduct of their success. Mara was released from a halfway house in April after serving a little less than four years in federal prison. DANNY DIAZ : Yeah, if you drive600 miles out . However, he did rebuild the boys and girls cross country programs from the ground up. They threw it out. DANNY DIAZ : Uh, well, that was the last race for that year. -John Harte, Yes, and at times the White family paid for new shoes and clothing for the team out of their own pockets. Back then, McFarland was largely white demographically. View Public Details & Court Records. Still, it was rarely the entire quantity as he, his partner Patrick Mara, as well as an associate, reportedly had this combined side hustle. Now that he's cooperating with authorities, he has allegedly implicated others in the department, including his former partner . 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 corruption scandal broke in November 2015 when federal agents arrested Bakersfield Police Detective Damacio Diaz for helping traffic methamphetamines. Inspired by the irony of his last name, "Blanco" was one of the nicknames that the kids and their families gave Jim White. Diaz then began cooperating with federal investigators and named other cops he said were corrupt. It reviewed 87 cases. Carter would then could sell those narcotics for profit. 6:40 p.m. Oct. 25, 2016: A previous version of this article said the district attorneys office reviewed 108 cases involving the detectives. Members of McFarland's Diaz family reflect We dont have actually any [CHUCKLES] malls. But, no, they made me chubby or overweight [CHUCKLES] and hecka hella slow [LAUGHS] when you watch the movie. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. In our case, you know, theres seven and my dad worked a lot of hours. 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 . And we try to trip him up on that, and hes very smart in that regard. So, that was a real good part of the movie though. Yet his desire to always be at the front and center of action soon reached such an extent that he started blurring the line between right and wrong, resulting in his arrest in November 2015. DAMACIO DIAZ : They said youre fat. I still race competitively even though youre not as good as you once were. Likely not. it all made sense. Where are Damacio and Patrick now? I even performed the wedding service for Damacio Diaz . The Diaz brothers represent 3 of the 7 runners from the McFarland Cross Country team of 1987. DANNY DIAZ : Once you give them your story, obviously you sign with them. 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. Damacio Diaz features in new Hulu documentary "Killing County. 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. Im a runner. These were the guys running in the California heat and winning state titles. Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego Delaney was the prosecutor in the case. All Rights Reserved. We have changed our city logo. -Congressional Record, V. 146, Pt. JIM WHITE : Let me add a little bit of that. DIAZEugenia Vasquez Diaz loving wife, mother, grandmother passed away on August 1, 2012 at the age of 94. Diaz initially became well-known after the release of 2015 Disney movie, McFarland USA, starring Kevin Costner. 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. Each one of the brothers are land owners in McFarland. Two years later, we signed with another one, not quite that often, but it took a long process. The three Diaz brothers featured in the new Disney movie, David, Damacio and Danny, all speak highly of both of their parents. [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. A previous version of this article said the district attorneys office reviewed 108 cases involving the detectives. 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. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges he. And he told me I want them to get their education, so I will go back and get my education. Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz. DANNY DIAZ : Absolutely. 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. For my son, it pushed him to go to college and do well while he was in high school. I feel safe knowing he is in my corner.. Damacio Diaz, former BPD detective who stole drugs and put them back on the street, released from custody DANNY DIAZ : Running in the race, Mr. White and the rest of the guys were telling me Joses out of it. All seven Diaz 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. The sentence received Monday was more lenient than prosecutors had urged for Damacio Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the Bakersfield Police Department. When I found out that it was Christian driven (truth !) A drug and corruption scandal has rocked the Bakersfield Police Department. All opinions expressed are my own. Youre driving on 99, the freeway, and you blink and youll miss it. Some of these teams that came after us were way better than us, way better than me as far as the running. Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick is an executive producer on new Hulu documentary "Killing County," which explores the story of Damacio Diaz. Carter was also ordered to pay $70,513 in restitution to his former employerwho he admitted to embezzling money fromand to forfeit $286,251 in proceeds from drug trafficking, according to federal prosecutors. 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. No. Known as @lacrimes on Twitter, during almost 30 years at The Times he also has been part of the breaking news staff that won Pulitzers in 1998, 2004 and 2016. And, wow, those hills are its not rolling hills. Davids the oldest and he was a bully. White sees the athletic Prosecutors are specifically reexamining cases from 2011 to 2014, when the partners were committing crimes. My parents definitely pushed us to go that route and not thewide road most people go to is other than college. 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. 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. -LA Times. Yes. I can't wait to see this movie! He told me to take my wife out on a date or buy my kids something, Diaz would later recall in court papers. 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. 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. The United States Attorney's Office said Diaz continued to operate the informant "even though he was fully aware of the informant's ongoing criminal activity and, during this time, Diaz received bribes from the informant in return for intelligence on law enforcement activities as well as protection from investigation and arrest.". DANNY DIAZ : You know, growing up in McFarland we didnt have much. And so, we have kids that are in high school and some that are in elementary school. Diaz and his partner, Patrick Mara, later admitted to ripping off drug dealers of their methamphetamine during traffic stops. JIM WHITE : Let, let me add one thing to that. So I'd have two practices." 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. Sports in high school can make or break a young man. But U.S. Atty. Although, David did add that his mom is actually much more strict than she is made to be in the movie. 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. They went back to the original first year that we won state. [CHUCKLES] And about two years ago, Mr. White, you help me pull? school and decides to put together a cross This was an all expense paid trip provided by Disney. In April 2019, Carter was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for conspiring with Diaz and Mara to sell the seized drugs. The story of McFarland started with a cross-country in the '80s. Thank you for reading! Damacio Diaz was released Friday from a halfway house in. Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip Talbert said at the time of Diaz's sentencing: "Diaz had a life that afforded him many opportunities, including the opportunity to serve and protect his community as an officer of the law. Let us send you our favorite posts and ideas once a week. And we were part of the Royal Rangers andwe did that on Tuesday nights at our local church. In fact, a blink of an eye as you drive down Highway 99 in California and you will miss it. "People discovered who I was, what my background was, and I was assaulted by numerous inmates," Diaz told 17 News. -KGET 17. Is that how the last race happened? High 61F. Diaz, a 17-year Bakersfield cop, worked on 32 cases involving 53 defendants, with 20 requiring letters, she said. 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. Damacio Diaz is one of the subjects of new Hulu documentary Killing County. Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now. 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif., (KBAK/KBFX) Damacio Diaz, a former Detective for the Bakersfield Police Department, has been released from federal custody. This behavior became common, prosecutors said. Right now our community is excited obviously with the movie and rightfully so. But his chief is ready to turn his back. It was such a great experience. I cannot thank all of the people involved enough for bringing this story to us. Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. McFarland High School is actually just down the road from the Central Valley Correctional Facility, not across the street. The Feds arrested him at the. 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. It is a day I truly regret and a decision that has changed my entire life.. 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. 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. We maybe started school but hardly any of us finished. 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. 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. 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. DAMACIO DIAZ : Yeah, we just run, Danny and I, just to stay in shape. This included members of the Bakersfield High Drillers. Sunny to partly cloudy. That was the only thing really that they had thats available to show that type of work [for the movie]. But I also understand clearly that while he did not sell his soul, he certainly rented it out.. Damacio Diaz was sitting in his car alongside informant Guillermo "Memo" Magallanes. Uh, it was 1988 and I was a senior at that time and my brother, Damacio, was a junior. Join Facebook to connect with Damacio Diaz and others you may know. He literally would buy us shoes, feed us, counsel us, console us when we lost, that kinda stuff. "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. Their city logo and motto have both been refreshed to express the new outlook of their community. 17 Damacio Diaz Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 17 Damacio Diaz Premium High Res Photos Browse 17 damacio diaz stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Scott Spielman said. Um, Im running my first half marathon soon, and, um, I just wanna know are those hills what you really trained on? Early on, ONeill seemed to be signaling he was taking a hard-line stance. You pick up any type of bug or any type of leaf, he knows what it is. DAMACIO DIAZ, by and through his counsel, DAVID A. TORRES, hereby submits Damacio Diaz' Statement in Mitigation for the court's consideration. Yes. 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. The U.S. Attorneys Office had recommended a sentence of between roughly 17 and 22 years, but the judge had discretion. Their mom and dad worked hard and pushed the boys even harder to succeed and do well. [Asking Danny referring to the last race of the first year]. Kevin Costner (Coach Jim White) and Diana Maria Riva (Seora Diaz) in McFarland, USA. Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? Thomas Valles went on to become a prison guard (LA Times). 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. I have seven kids myself and all of us have a lot of kids. 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. 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. Gabriel Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego Diaz, and father and mother Paul and Juanita Diaz. Primary filming took place in McFarland, California in 2013. So, Danny youre talking about they made you a little different. Diaz pleaded guilty last spring as part of a plea agreement that became public in May. 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. 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. 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. Theyre looking out for my kids and were trying to police each other, because its very easy to get distracted and go way off course. Those suckers are, are steep. DAVID DIAZ : He was a very inspirational part. 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. Talbert said that we concluded no officers were complicit in joining Diaz and Mara, and that no further prosecutions were planned at this time. Both men are currently in halfway houses, Diaz in the Sacramento area and Mara in the Long Beach area.
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