Acting U.S. Atty. How much or any input did you have to have on the filming, the making the movie? I still race competitively even though youre not as good as you once were. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. And we try to trip him up on that, and hes very smart in that regard. The Department of Justice said Diaz and Mara would deliberately fail to submit seized drugs as evidence and instead would give them to Carter, who would sell them for profit. Thats what they wanted to do and Im just excited to be included in the movie. (I am in the red in the back betweenDamacio and Danny). He told me to take my wife out on a date or buy my kids something, Diaz would later recall in court papers. Its grapes and its oranges and its almonds and its cotton and stuff in our area, but those werent available. CA. Despite the possible life sentence, a federal judge ruled Diaz can be released. 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. And he told me I want them to get their education, so I will go back and get my education. They appeared happy to be with us, and they enjoyed sharing their behind the scenes stories about the . 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. She is preceded in death by her husband Damacio Diaz. I used to take Damacio and some of hispeers. [CHUCKLES] Same thing happened back in the day when we were kids. The detective tipped him off about a Drug Enforcement Administration wiretap that captured him chatting, advising him to lay low, according to documents. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. Diaz would quickly implicate Mara and then suggest others were making money too. They still believe in him, and so does his attorney, David A. Torres, who said, "He is and was a hero, in my opinion, and he is the same Damacio Diaz he is.". 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? They became the drug traffickers themselves, he said. I am excited to share with you another great interview from my McFarland, USA press trip. Damacio Diaz (R) and guest attend the Bakersfield Special Screening of "McFarland, USA" in Bakersfield, CA on Feb. 15th, 2015. Central Valley. 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. He gave them information to clean up the department, said his lawyer, David Torres, in an interview. 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. He is portrayed by Kevin Costner. A full house of over three hundred gave a rousing standing ovation to Jim and his wife, Cheryl. 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. And so, we were just happy that Disney stuck with that first year and were lucky to be in the movie. 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 . And believe it or not, before he was a coach, hes a scientist. Wife of public defender who died at Mexico resort speaks out. 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. And we were running number one all year long. 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. Diaz and his partner, Patrick Mara, later admitted to ripping off drug dealers of their methamphetamine during traffic stops. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. I can't wait to see this movie! There is no shame in admitting that this case has kept me awake at night, and few do, ONeill said to the packed courtroom. How often do you guys still train together with the new students? The McFarland, USA true story supports that McFarland High School won nine CIF California State Championships in cross country (including five in a row) and held a streak of attending the state championship meet 24 years in a row. Damacio Diaz was sitting in his car alongside informant Guillermo "Memo" Magallanes. When the informant left, the narcotics detective found just under $1,000 in the passenger-side door pocket. We maybe started school but hardly any of us finished. DANNY DIAZ : You know, growing up in McFarland we didnt have much. Disgraced former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz, one of the real-life heroes of the movie "McFarland USA," was sentenced Monday in U . If one or two of those boys couldn't make practice at four o'clock 'cause they're just gettin' in from work, then I might practice at 6 or 7 o'clock with those boys. These guys are amazing and it was a pleasure meeting them and listening to them. I had never been the top five, and as you know the top five are the ones that score. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The charges against Damacio Diaz have people in his hometown in disbelief. The legendary former McFarland 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. DAMACIO DIAZ : Us training together, maam? "McFarland's Family of Champions," are 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. Danny Diaz was not overweight, but he was the seventh runner on the team. DAVID DIAZ : Not at all. DAMACIO DIAZ : Mr. White might have more than us. 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. Silvia died on October 27, Herlinda on October 28. 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. Oh, its more than an indiscretion, he said. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Prosecutors are specifically reexamining cases from 2011 to 2014, when the partners were committing crimes. Phillip A. Talbert said the two detectives were specially selected for a joint drug task force in a region plagued by methamphetamine. Their mom and dad worked hard and pushed the boys even harder to succeed and do well. They threw it out. PE teacher in McFarland, an economically 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. 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. Now, local prosecutors say the scandal jeopardizes other criminal cases. That streak ended while the movie was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I status, a byproduct of their success. Each one of the brothers are land owners in McFarland. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. A former Bakersfield Police detective, serving time in prison for his role in a drug ring, has been released. 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. And so, we have kids that are in high school and some that are in elementary school. McFarland, USA comes to theaters on Friday, February 20th. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! He advised her to first trust in God, as the Almighty, he said, is not subject to the weaknesses and failings of humankind. These I was able have an interview 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. 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. In an extraordinary statement, Judge ONeill spoke directly to Diazs daughter, Caroline. So, thatwas good. Not exactly. And then Disney resigned us and got a better script writer. 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. Hes a pretty good coach, too. DAVID DIAZ : He was a very inspirational part. under Coach Jim White at McFarland High This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I am excited to share with you another great interview from my McFarland, USA press trip. Though according to Damacios own account in the Hulu production, his dreams and aspirations took a complete turn once he witnessed some adrenaline-pumping, actual police work first-hand. Under the circumstances, theres absolutely no issue of dual justice here, he said. Chance of rain 40%. Danny Diaz, daughter Delia Diaz, Gabriel The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. Clovis PD investigating woman's death, asking public to avoid area. 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 . 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. -KGET 17, Yes. 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. Now that he's cooperating with authorities, he has allegedly implicated others in the department, including his former partner . A South Valley legend so popular he became the subject of a Disney movie has taken a hard fall. We were about seven or eight years old when all that began. Jim White restarted the program in 1980 after it had been dropped for a year. 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. This included members of the Bakersfield High Drillers. Our father never could ever go watch us race. -John Harte, Yes, and at times the White family paid for new shoes and clothing for the team out of their own pockets. Their city logo and motto have both been refreshed to express the new outlook of their community. [CHUCKLES] And, and we didnt train and we got fifth that year. Diaz was released from prison in May 2020. gun violence, officer-involved homicides and other crime, Colin Kaepernick is an executive producer, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. But I also understand clearly that while he did not sell his soul, he certainly rented it out.. The U.S. Attorneys Office had recommended a sentence of between roughly 17 and 22 years, but the judge had discretion. About $15,000 stuck out of Magallanes shorts. 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. Thanks! So we have a lot of uncles and everybody has a lot of kids. All seven Diaz Five years in jail for a law enforcement officer thats still a serious sentence. Damacio Diaz, 44, was sentenced Monday for bribery, possession and attempted possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and making and subscribing a false income tax return,. Defendant reserves the . Damacio Diaz, former BPD detective who stole drugs and put them back on the street, released from custody Early on, ONeill seemed to be signaling he was taking a hard-line stance. it was in various stages, because this was about a 15-year process for us, my wife and I . Inspired by the irony of his last name, "Blanco" was one of the nicknames that the kids and their families gave Jim White. 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. JIM WHITE : Thomas. 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. Two years later, we signed with another one, not quite that often, but it took a long process. 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. High 61F. Eguenia was best described by many that David Diaz is behind Victor wearing a white t-shirt and McFarland hat. Damacio Diaz said he doesn't recognize the man he was three years ago when he was a detective working for Bakersfield police. Overall though, they agreed that the picker lifestyle and Latino culture of the community was perfectly captured. My parents definitely pushed us to go that route and not thewide road most people go to is other than college. The DOJ said Diaz and Mara deliberately failed to submit seized drugs as evidence and instead provided the stolen narcotics to Carter. 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. picking in the fields. 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. 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. 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. Davids the oldest and he was a bully. These were the guys running in the California heat and winning state titles. 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.". Delaney was the prosecutor in the case. Damacio stated that they were very proud of the way the movie portrayed their story their family. Is that still happening in McFarland? He got into the truck and began to talk with Coach White about his difficulties at home. We signed with this one company. 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. Damacio Diaz was sitting in his car alongside informant Guillermo Memo Magallanes. Four years ago on a sweltering afternoon, Bakersfield Police Det. 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. To you culture, um, is all about community and it takes a village to raise a child. Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now. Many of the citizens of McFarland were extras in the movie. 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. Those are the two extremes and those are the two options that are there for our community. As stated above, the real Jim White started teaching in the McFarland School District straight out of college in 1964. More than 100 convictions were overturned as a result. In our case, you know, theres seven and my dad worked a lot of hours. You have permission to edit this article. 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 . She argued that her husband has learned from his mistakes and should not face any prison time at all. Unlike most defendants sentenced to prison for drug trafficking and other serious crimes, Diaz, dressed in a dark suit, walked out of the courthouse Monday afternoon unshackled, temporarily a free man. And, wow, those hills are its not rolling hills. Like in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a horrible fight. But this is gonna be a family movie, so it is okay. Kern County Dist. 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. [LAUGHS], Kevin Costner and Carlos Pratts in McFarland, USA. Then they can do whatever they want. After his father left, Leopoldo and his mother decided to pack . It is a day I truly regret and a decision that has changed my entire life.. We shouldve had first. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. The movie is based on the true story of a 1987 cross . DAMACIO DIAZ : The one that took off real fast, you know. Now we are a runner running through the field, a figure silhouette of a runner. September 22, 2016, 12:07 PM. Michael Aguero as Damacio Diaz Rafael Martinez as David Diaz Ramiro Rodriguez as Danny Diaz Diana-Maria Riva as Seora Diaz Vanessa Martnez as Maria Marsol Martha Higareda as Lupe Valente Rodriguez as Principal Camillo Chris Ellis as Coach Jenks Eloy Casados as Dale Padilla Natalia Cordova-Buckley as Seora Valles Production [ edit] Jim White is the main character of the sports drama film McFarland, USA. Girl, 13, Went Missing Last Week, and Suspect Is Arrested on . In 2018, another man, Noel Carter, from Bakersfield, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Diaz and Mara to distribute drugs, according to federal prosecutors. 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. Yes. It was such a great experience. school and decides to put together a cross He must report to federal authorities before 2 p.m. Dec. 5 to begin serving his sentence. 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. DANNY DIAZ : We didnt train. Coach Jim White Interview & the Diaz Family Looks Back, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. Defendants could seek motions for a new trial or to withdraw pleas in some cases. I was just running to, to displace other runners and add them more points. During the investigation, five other officers were placed on administrative leave related to the investigation and one recently resigned. In the movie, you [Coach White] spent a day picking in the fields with the boys. Danny and Damacio run 3 to 5 miles a day to simply stay in shape. We dont have the big malls. 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. Diaz pleaded guilty to stealing. That is why it was so amazing and cool that I got to interview Jim White, David Diaz, Damacio Diaz, and Danny Diaz. 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. teacher. It was such a great experience. After the interview we were able to get a picture with them. The 16-count indictment against the 17-year police veteran includes bribery and trafficking methamphetamine. He was a fifth grade teacher and before he was a P.E. Included in the segment, titled I wanna know is your mom really that way, because she was a scene stealer? Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? 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. [LAUGHS]. In May 2020, Diaz was released from a halfway house in Sacramento, where he was staying after serving his time. The trio honestly had an unwavering determination in their efforts despite being mere teenagers at the time, and thats what eventually inspired the 2015 Disney sports drama film McFarland, USA. However, the former chose to pursue General Education as a field of study instead of focusing on his athleticism upon graduation because he apparently hoped to establish his career as a teacher. DANNY DIAZ : And we played basketball the entire week. He also committed serious, reprehensible crimes. Select this result to view Damacio Diaz's phone number, address, and more. 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 . Back then, McFarland was largely white demographically. . Uh, it was 1988 and I was a senior at that time and my brother, Damacio, was a junior. We started picking and hoeing and raking and doing everything you could possibly think of. Jim White is to Thomas' right and Gary Adams is to White's right. The highest homicide rate The most crime. and last updated 2016-10-03 21:34:05-04. Did that change how you ran in future races? -LA Times. DANNY DIAZ : Uh, well, that was the last race for that year. 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif., (KBAK/KBFX) Damacio Diaz, a former Detective for the Bakersfield Police Department, has been released from federal custody. Diaz this summer pleaded guilty to bribery, drug trafficking and tax evasion, and Mara admitted to selling methamphetamine. View the profiles of people named Damacio Diaz. No, the real Coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980. was like to have a movie made about his Thomas Valles went on to become a prison guard (LA Times). Primary filming took place in McFarland, California in 2013. FRESNO, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) Former Bakersfield police detective Damacio Diaz was sentenced Monday in federal court to five years in prison. Juanita Diaz. That day I was fifth runner and I felt so much pressure, but you know, lucky we were able to pull it off. 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. 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.