The Bakersfield Californian says (http://bit.ly/2dGESLb) the U.S. Attorneys Office recommended between 17 and 22 years. RAW VIDEO: Former BPD detective Damacio Diaz reacts to 5-year - YouTube Acting U.S. Atty. DAVID DIAZ : He was out in my field still in the evening helping me do my work. 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. But, yes, I did that. Davids the oldest and he was a bully. So Im always looking out for their kids. They also plan to seize about $50,000 in cash and a home in an exclusive McFarland neighborhood. They investigated every name that came up, uncovered every rock, and no one elses name came to light in their scandal, the chief said. Forty-four of his cases will result in letters. 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. There are no shopping malls or large grocery stores. Did that change how you ran in future races? That is definitely true. And we try to trip him up on that, and hes very smart in that regard. Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) is the new It gave you character. I didn't want to go home," says Thomas. Where is Damacio Diaz Now? 'Killing County' on Hulu Explores His Story The sentence received Monday was more lenient than prosecutors had urged for Damacio Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the Bakersfield Police Department. And we were part of the Royal Rangers andwe did that on Tuesday nights at our local church. According to the California Department of Justice, Diaz and Mara conspired with another man, Noel Carter, 46. And theres not much to do there. School. [LAUGHS], Kevin Costner and Carlos Pratts in McFarland, USA. Thats why we had the sixth and seventh runner on a team. Both are about to begin five-year federal prison sentences for their crimes. Convicted former officer Damacio Diaz says corruption was from the top "I was standing there. 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. Raul was also a runner on the team when his sister was killed. . We [LAUGHS], we played basket. View the profiles of people named Damacio Diaz. And so, I cant keep up with my kids in high school [CHUCKLES], but I go with my little seven-year-old. DANNY DIAZ : You know, growing up in McFarland we didnt have much. Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such conduct.". But federal agents arrested him at work today. Patrick Mara, center, speaks while flanked by attorney Fred Gagliardini. 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. They appeared happy to be with us, and they enjoyed sharing their behind the scenes stories about the . (I am in the red in the back betweenDamacio and Danny). Disgraced Bakersfield Police Detective Sentenced To Five Years But Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson said the federal and internal inquiries after 18 months cleared them all. 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. Not the right Damacio Diaz? He retired in 2003 after 23 years of coaching boys cross country. He also committed serious, reprehensible crimes. DANNY DIAZ : Im trying to be nice here. Many of the citizens of McFarland were extras in the movie. David is represented in the McFarland, USA movie along with two of his brothers, Damacio and Danny. Chance of rain 40%. Under it you read three words:Tradition, Unity, and Excellence. So the only way I could get some of them into some of the fields that I had to do the work with them. 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 2018, another man, Noel Carter, from Bakersfield, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Diaz and Mara to distribute drugs, according to federal prosecutors. These guys are amazing and it was a pleasure meeting them and listening to them. He is portrayed by Kevin Costner. So that was my experience for the first time at state having the pressure. 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.". We love our dad. . 'McFarland USA' runner Damacio Diaz gets prison - The Mercury News Is that still happening in McFarland? Jim White and the Diaz Brothers with our Group for McFarland, USA. In our case, you know, theres seven and my dad worked a lot of hours. 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. 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. 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. Damacio Diaz, right, shakes hands with Tomas Valles as the team readies for the start of the Southern section championships in the 1987 season. They spoke often of God and their church, as well as the work they do there. [LAUGHS] And we dont have the big grocery stores. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. Former detective depicted in 'McFarland, USA' is sentenced to five We don't know that anyone was physically injured as a result of it, fortunately. They were cross country state champs in 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001. The movie is based on the true story of a 1987 cross . But he encouraged us to play sports. So, thatwas good. Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? Inspired by the irony of his last name, "Blanco" was one of the nicknames that the kids and their families gave Jim White. They were sooo funny to chat with. Where are Damacio and Patrick now? The district attorneys office is prepared to retry the cases if necessary, Assistant Dist. I didnt enjoy it very much. He literally would buy us shoes, feed us, counsel us, console us when we lost, that kinda stuff. [Asking Danny referring to the last race of the first year]. Newsweek has everything you need to know about what happened to Bakersfield cop Damacio Diaz and why he is featured on Killing County. DAVID DIAZ : And just to let you know, um, Gods good and we own almonds now. She changed her plans following her fathers indictment. Former BPD detective Damacio Diaz released from prison Were all a year apart. What about the children? But in reality the script that was written, we prayed that it would never happen. How did that impact your lives during high school to move on in the future? Bakersfield. Diaz pleaded guilty to stealing. Defense attorneys compared the Bakersfield situation to the Los Angeles Police Departments Rampart scandal in the late 1990s, in which corrupt officers tainted cases. Like in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a horrible fight. Former Bakersfield Police Department Detective Pleads Guilty to Bribery 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. Danny and Damacio run 3 to 5 miles a day to simply stay in shape. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I understand he did a lot of good before this criminal activity. Thats because it comprises not only archival footage but also first-hand accounts of individuals closest to the matter to truly uncover this Californian citys merciless, violence-driven justice system. What Happened to Isabella Pollok? Everything About Larry Ray's 'Lieutenant' children ran for Jim White and all seven Disgraced former BPD officers Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara - KGET 17 cross country coach talks about what it Diaz was not remanded into custody. 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). Early on, ONeill seemed to be signaling he was taking a hard-line stance. 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. PE teacher in McFarland, an economically Plus I am a big Kevin Costner fan, I dont think I have ever not liked one of his movies. In the movie, you [Coach White] spent a day picking in the fields with the boys. 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. victor puentes mcfarland Hi everyone! Yet this fraud used his position for gain and greed. -LA Times. Although, David did add that his mom is actually much more strict than she is made to bein the movie. All of us went to college. 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. 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. Now, local prosecutors say the scandal jeopardizes other criminal cases. September 22, 2016, 12:07 PM. JIM WHITE : Thomas. "Sometimes I helped them work in the fields," says the real Coach Jim White, "but more importantly, I had practice at a different time. High 61F. Jim White, David Diaz, Damacio Diaz and Danny Diaz for McFarland, USA. Diaz, and father and mother Paul and Information from: The Bakersfield Californian, http://www.bakersfield.com. Theres nothing to do in McFarland. SPONSORED LINKS 6:40 p.m. Oct. 25, 2016: A previous version of this article said the district attorneys office reviewed 108 cases involving the detectives. Newsweek has everything you need to know about what happened to Bakersfield cop Damacio Diaz and why. 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. DANNY DIAZ : Uh, well, that was the last race for that year. 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. See more stories in. Damacio Diaz (R) and guest attend the Bakersfield Special Screening of "McFarland, USA" in Bakersfield, CA on Feb. 15th, 2015. Sports in high school can make or break a young man. Thomas Valles went on to become a prison guard (LA Times). . So, it was a big deal for us. 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. And we I took them to the fields because I was looking for workers to try to get us some income so we can go to Oregon and we can go to San Jose and we can put shoes on their feet. Delaney was the prosecutor in the case. -KGET 17, Yes. CA. 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. Damacio Diaz was released Friday from a halfway house in Sacramento, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. I used to take Damacio and some of hispeers. Im a runner. The community of McFarlandis important to them. I even performed the wedding service for Damacio Diaz . Former narcotics detective Damacio Diaz has accepted a plea deal in connection with federal charges that could send him to prison for life. 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. Soon Diaz and Mara were getting into other illegal activities, authorities said. I had never been the top five, and as you know the top five are the ones that score. 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. -LCU.edu, Yes. According to the National Park Service, citing law enforcement officials, the husband and wife were discovered on Jan. 13. White sees the athletic Despite the possible life sentence, a federal judge ruled Diaz can be released. So, my dad worked ten, twelve, thirteen, fourteen hours a day sometimes and both of them [his parents] come from large families. Under the circumstances, theres absolutely no issue of dual justice here, he said. Killing County is scheduled to premiere on Hulu on Friday, February 3. Back then, McFarland was largely white demographically. DAMACIO DIAZ : He was our seventh man actually. Those suckers are, are steep. February 27, 2023 new bill passed in nj for inmates 2022 No Comments . Whether it be Burglary, Financial Crimes Detail, Homicide, Narcotics Investigations, Sexual Assault, Special Enforcement (Gang), or Vice, he worked in every department at one point or the other. 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. Eguenia was best described by many that We have changed our city logo. 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. By Laura Donaldson On 2/3/23 at 8:00 AM EST Then they can do whatever they want. Copyright 2023 Lovebugs and Postcards | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. They talk about being And, uh, low and behold, Mr. White, during Thanksgiving break, uh, when we have no school, he had an emergency. This behavior became common, prosecutors said. We maybe started school but hardly any of us finished. experience coaching the team. Mr. White was there as a person that we can rely on. picking in the fields. 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. Damacio Diaz was a subject of the movie McFarland USA and became a Bakersfield police officer. 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 . Did Coach White encourage you to use any of his style when youre teaching or coaching? 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. Former Bakersfield police officer pleads guilty to bribery and other McFarland Residents Shocked by Arrest of Bakersfield Cop Portrayed in DAVID DIAZ : Uh, we donttrain. And thatsthe one we have now. A lot of us competed in college. Diaz this summer pleaded guilty to bribery, drug trafficking and tax evasion, and Mara admitted to selling methamphetamine. Welcome to Killing County. Its a poor community. My dad gives me a sense of security, she told the court. went on to college. Although, the brothers did say that the town hasnt really changed much, Coach White has noticed one big change. McFarland, USA: Directed by Niki Caro. Prosecutors are specifically reexamining cases from 2011 to 2014, when the partners were committing crimes. We have also done internal investigations on many allegations that were made and once again they have been unable to uncover anything. Both men are currently in halfway houses, Diaz in the Sacramento area and Mara in the Long Beach area. 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. They have also lived in Mc Farland, CA and Delano, CA. All seven Diaz Timeline of Events - KGET 17 And it didnt. 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Their stories were told in a beautiful way and they are excited Disney picked their tale to tell. Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? Do you feel like the movie does a good job of describing that culture (of family and pickers)? 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. 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. 'Killing County' features former BPD officers Some of these teams that came after us were way better than us, way better than me as far as the running. 1998 July - Damacio Diaz hired by the Bakersfield Police Department. -John Harte, Yes, and at times the White family paid for new shoes and clothing for the team out of their own pockets. Damacio Diaz features in new Hulu documentary "Killing County. Damacio Diaz was sitting in his car alongside informant Guillermo "Memo" Magallanes. Calif. Damacio Diaz, former BPD detective who stole drugs and put - KGET 17 DAMACIO DIAZ : They said youre fat. 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. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. PUBLISHED: October 4, 2016 at 7:44 a.m. | UPDATED: October 4, 2016 at 7:53 a.m. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) An ex-detective who was on the championship 1987 track team depicted in the movie . You have permission to edit this article. 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). 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. It taught you discipline. 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. Thats a long time in jail for someone who once wore a badge.. All seven Diaz children went to college and all seven returned to McFarland where they live today. 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? No, the real Coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980. Honestly, as we sat and talked with the Diaz brothers 3things were very apparent. Atty. 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. So, Danny youre talking about they made you a little different. 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Former Bakersfield Police Department Detective Sentenced to 5 Years in
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