Damacio Diaz was released Friday from a halfway house in Sacramento, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Vida en el Valle file Daniel Casarez. Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. I still currently run. Their mom and dad worked hard and pushed the boys even harder to succeed and do well. Diaz was not remanded into custody. Did you ever do that again? DAMACIO DIAZ : Yeah, were very, very proud of the way the movie portrayed us, our family. 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. DANNY DIAZ : Absolutely. We were very happy that that was going to take place. So, thatwas good. The movie is based on the true story of a 1987 cross . inspired to strive for something beyond Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Oh, its more than an indiscretion, he said. 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. After his father left, Leopoldo and his mother decided to pack . That the judge would even mention such a possibility underscored the unusual nature of the hearing. Despite the possible life sentence, a federal judge ruled Diaz can be released. 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. But Mr. White was our second father. We are no longer theHeartbeat of Agriculture. Under it you read three words:Tradition, Unity, and Excellence. His performance at the 1987 state meet did help McFarland lock up the title. View Public Details & Court Records. 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Kevin Costner and others picking in the fields in McFarland, USA. That was the only thing really that they had thats available to show that type of work [for the movie]. The relationship between the brothers and Coach White is endearing. I had never been the top five, and as you know the top five are the ones that score. 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. His viewpoint of not changing too much from that aspect I see a definite change. 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). Five years in jail for a law enforcement officer thats still a serious sentence. Four years ago on a sweltering afternoon, Bakersfield Police Det. No. 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. [LAUGHS]. With nothing to do in their small town, kidshave two choices: education and sports or the streets. 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Yes. Still, it was rarely the entire quantity as he, his partner Patrick Mara, as well as an associate, reportedly had this combined side hustle. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. Noel Carter, 45, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today for conspiring with Bakersfield police officers Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana that Diaz and Mara seized in the course of their duties as police officers, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Yeah, yeah, yeah. 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. Did Coach White encourage you to use any of his style when youre teaching or coaching? Danny Diaz was not overweight, but he was the seventh runner on the team. 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. What is going on here is really outrageous, said criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos. It gave you character. Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz. See more stories in. Eliu Garza, also a McFarland High runner, is . under Coach Jim White at McFarland High However, he did rebuild the boys and girls cross country programs from the ground up. During the investigation, five other officers were placed on administrative leave related to the investigation and one recently resigned. So Im always looking out for their kids. About $15,000 stuck out of Magallanes'. Mara was released from a halfway house a month before Diaz, in April 2020, after serving just under four years in federal prison. Thats a long time in jail for someone who once wore a badge.. Mara, a 13-year veteran, had 55 cases involving 70 defendants. Along with fellow BPD Detective Patrick Mara, 40, the two were sentenced to five years in federal prison. I even performed the wedding service for Damacio Diaz . Here's what we know. They went back to the original first year that we won state. We maybe started school but hardly any of us finished. A lot of us competed in college. Select this result to view Damacio Diaz's phone number, address, and more. However, similar to the film, Jim White had never been a runner himself and used the bike to follow the team during their workouts. Is that how the last race happened? Damacio stated that they were very proud of the way the movie portrayed their story their family. [LAUGHS] We didnt do cabbage. experience coaching the team. All Rights Reserved. So I'd have two practices." And so, we were just happy that Disney stuck with that first year and were lucky to be in the movie. As a documentary series that delves deep into the alleged corruption, cover-ups, and crimes within the Bakersfield Police Department over the years, Hulus Killing County is unlike any other. That is definitely true. teacher. Forty-four of his cases will result in letters. DAMACIO DIAZ : They said youre fat. 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. As you pull into McFarland, you will know notice a silhouette of a runner running through an open field. The hearing included impassioned appeals by Diazs brother, wife and daughter, with the two latter witnesses in tears through much of their statements. 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. A drug and corruption scandal has rocked the Bakersfield Police Department. Speaking of running, we asked the Diaz brothers if they still run. Jim White, David Diaz, Damacio Diaz and Danny Diaz for McFarland, USA. Back then, McFarland was largely white demographically. 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. 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 . When one of Diazs attorneys used the word indiscretion to describe Diazs misdeeds, ONeill interrupted. 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. They threw it out. 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. Mr. White was there as a person that we can rely on. 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. We were raised in the field, it was our life. But, yes, I did that. Diaz, who has been allowed to remain free throughout the process, cooperated fully with investigators, according to the prosecution. 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. Phillip A. Talbert said the two detectives were specially selected for a joint drug task force in a region plagued by methamphetamine. Damacio Diaz was sitting in his car alongside informant Guillermo Memo Magallanes. Damacio Diaz, right, shakes hands with Tomas Valles as the team readies for the start of the Southern section championships in the 1987 season. The student thus enrolled at California State University-Fresno while changing his major to Criminology as well as Military Science (1992-1996) before deciding to acquire training on the job. 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. He did submit every kind of narcotics to evidence following each bust. The DOJ said Diaz and Mara deliberately failed to submit seized drugs as evidence and instead provided the stolen narcotics to Carter. Damacio Diaz is one of the subjects of new Hulu documentary Killing County. And, wow, those hills are its not rolling hills. 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 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. Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego . I never had pressure. A true crime thriller we made set in Kevin McCarthys district. Coach White concurred and said their mom even asked why they didnt make her strict enough. In fact, a blink of an eye as you drive down Highway 99 in California and you will miss it. "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. He must report to federal authorities before 2 p.m. Dec. 5 to begin serving his 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,. In Boise, Idaho, 1987, Jim White and his title of coach is signifying his status as a . of 1 He will then be subject to three years of supervised release. The real Coach Jim White took both the boys and girls cross country teams to the California central coast beach at Cayucos during the 1985 season (not the 1987 season). He told me to take my wife out on a date or buy my kids something, Diaz would later recall in court papers. About $15,000 stuck out of Magallanes shorts. By Laura Donaldson On 2/3/23 at 8:00 AM EST And so, we have a great dad. It was indeed the first time that many of the kids ever saw the ocean. 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. But thats okay. Yes. "He told me to take my wife out on a date or buy my kids something," Diaz would later. It was great meeting you on the trip - it was such fun! Diaz, and father and mother Paul and 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. When the informant left, the narcotics detective found just under $1,000 in the passenger-side door pocket. After the interview we were able to get a picture with them. Still, Williamson said, the corrupt detectives had eroded trust with the community. It does take a village [CHUCKLES] to raise, a child. DAMACIO DIAZ, by and through his counsel, DAVID A. TORRES, hereby submits Damacio Diaz' Statement in Mitigation for the court's consideration. No foul language or nudity - just fresh air. They are a faith-filled family. For my son, it pushed him to go to college and do well while he was in high school. Disgraced cop's 5-year sentence a fraction of prosection's recommendation, Corrupt cops compel Kern DA to inform defense attorneys about 'tainted' cases. Acting U.S. Atty. 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. DANNY DIAZ : east from McFarland, Mr. White here would take us to the hills. They came from a large family where faith,educationand hard work were important. They couldve chosen any other team, because we have nine state titles. They talk about being inspired to strive for something beyond picking in the fields. Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. Then to keep him on the narrow road or that straight road is tough. DAMACIO DIAZ : For us, I believe sports, in general, we were already tough kids and we were used to working hard and theyre seven of us in our family. It depends on the circumstances. 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. 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 this summer pleaded guilty to bribery, drug trafficking and tax evasion, and Mara admitted to selling methamphetamine. Silvia died on October 27, Herlinda on October 28. and preaching in the Church of Christ. Would they flee bargain the same way with non-police criminals? My dad gives me a sense of security, she told the court. JIM WHITE : Thomas. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Theres nothing to do in McFarland. Soon Diaz and Mara were getting into other illegal activities, authorities said. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. An elderly couple from Las Vegas were found dead earlier this month in Death Valley National Park, law enforcement officials said. That year, Mara filed for bankruptcy and said he was drinking heavily. [LAUGHS] These guys had all the pressure. DANNY DIAZ : Once you give them your story, obviously you sign with them. We, we basically told our story, got interviewed for hours and hour and hours, and that was pretty much it. 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. But Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson said the federal and internal inquiries after 18 months cleared them all. DAVID DIAZ : He was out in my field still in the evening helping me do my work. DAVID DIAZ : He was a very inspirational part. [CHUCKLES] When we were growing up, maybe seven, eight, nine, ten thousand people is the population. [LAUGHS], JIM WHITE : Let, let me answer that, cause when Mrs. Diaz saw this film the first time, she came out and she said I love the film, but they didnt make me strict enough.. The Diaz brothers represent 3 of the 7 runners from the McFarland Cross Country team of 1987. He was a fifth grade teacher and before he was a P.E. 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. As, as hes retired. 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. The three Diaz brothers featured in the new Disney movie, David, Damacio and Danny, all speak highly of both of their parents. "I think it goes to show that sometimes the portrayal of images, and good work that has happened in the past, sometimes comes to what we see today and that people aren't always what they seem," said Greg Williamson, Bakersfield police chief. -KGET 17, Yes. You can read our Kevin Costner Interview about his role as Jim White in the McFarland, USA movie. All seven Diaz children went to college and all seven returned to McFarland where they live today. 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. Included in the segment, titled [LAUGHS] And we dont have the big grocery stores. 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. DANNY DIAZ : That is true. 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. But I still do that and I coach. In an extraordinary statement, Judge ONeill spoke directly to Diazs daughter, Caroline. We shouldve had first. Diaz was a local celebrity at the time. DAMACIO DIAZ : Us training together, maam? Mr. White had a lot more influence [on the script]. DAVID DIAZ : Uh, we donttrain. Not the right Damacio Diaz? It was really an honor. 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. No, the real Coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980. DAVID DIAZ : So, it helps you running wise and mentally wise, as well, because you have to endure that steepness, if you will. 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. Kern County Dist. Coach White took the orders and delivered them. They work in the school system and believe in. Thanks! They spoke often of God and their church, as well as the work they do there. The community of McFarlandis important to them. . They were very respectful and well-mannered towards him, treating him with much respect as we talked. 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. Magallanes then told another drug dealer to dump his phone. So we have a lot of uncles and everybody has a lot of kids. 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.". Delaney was the prosecutor in the case. And thatsthe one we have now. Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such conduct.". Davids the oldest and he was a bully. Damacio Diaz. And we try to trip him up on that, and hes very smart in that regard. Assistant U.S. Atty Brian Delaney said Magallanes was arrested in a separate case and told officials about Diaz. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. The love they genuinely have for him was heartfelt and true. Damacio Diaz pleaded guilty to bribery, drugtrafficking and tax evasion. I can't wait to see this movie! cross country coach talks about what it JIM WHITE : Let me add a little bit of that. Eguenia was best described by many that 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. Our father never could ever go watch us race. 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. Former detective Patrick Mara was also. It reviewed 87 cases. Damacio Diaz, photo courtesy of Mama Latina Tips. Dozens of Coach Jim White's runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. Diaz, a former Bakersfield police detective, is interviewed on camera in Killing County. JIM WHITE : Ive done it quite often. 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. Disgraced former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz, one of the real-life heroes of the movie "McFarland USA," was sentenced Monday in U . 1999 - 2000 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.
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