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. 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. And then Disney resigned us and got a better script writer. During the investigation, five other officers were placed on administrative leave related to the investigation and one recently resigned. And we were running number one all year long. [CHUCKLES] And, and we didnt train and we got fifth that year. 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. They couldve chosen any other team, because we have nine state titles. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The charges against Damacio Diaz have people in his hometown in disbelief. under Coach Jim White at McFarland High 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. As, as hes retired. We all feel grateful and the whole communitys just embracing it. 6:40 p.m. Oct. 25, 2016: A previous version of this article said the district attorneys office reviewed 108 cases involving the detectives. 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. No. Kern County Dist. Back then, McFarland was largely white demographically. How did that impact your lives during high school to move on in the future? He offers the kids a chance If it were ethical, I would pay to have you go to UCLA, he said, noting that it clearly was not. 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. These were the guys running in the California heat and winning state titles. 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). You can read our Kevin Costner Interview about his role as Jim White in the McFarland, USA movie. The former narcotics officer is now known, however, for going to prison in 2016 for charges tied to drugs, bribery and tax fraud. David Diaz is behind Victor wearing a white t-shirt and McFarland hat. Would they flee bargain the same way with non-police criminals? A full house of over three hundred gave a rousing standing ovation to Jim and his wife, Cheryl. Still, it was rarely the entire quantity as he, his partner Patrick Mara, as well as an associate, reportedly had this combined side hustle. 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. Damacio Diaz pleaded guilty to bribery, drugtrafficking and tax evasion. True Crime news & latest pictures from Newsweek.com The DOJ said Diaz and Mara deliberately failed to submit seized drugs as evidence and instead provided the stolen narcotics to Carter. His attorney says he should be home for the holidays and then back in court in Fresno in January. Some, like David Diaz, became teachers themselves. They have also lived in Mc Farland, CA and Delano, CA. Damacio Diaz, 44, of McFarland, formerly a detective with the Bakersfield Police Department, was sentenced today to five years in prison for bribery . I can't wait to see this movie! Thats why we had the sixth and seventh runner on a team. Chance of rain 40%. Early on, ONeill seemed to be signaling he was taking a hard-line stance. Diaz was a member of the team that won the state championship. 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. The hearing included impassioned appeals by Diazs brother, wife and daughter, with the two latter witnesses in tears through much of their statements. Assistant U.S. Atty Brian Delaney said Magallanes was arrested in a separate case and told officials about Diaz. McFarland High School is actually just down the road from the Central Valley Correctional Facility, not across the street. JIM WHITE : Let, let me add one thing to that. They investigated every name that came up, uncovered every rock, and no one elses name came to light in their scandal, the chief said. We didnt have that close to us. He will then be subject to three years of supervised release. More than 100 convictions were overturned as a result. Learn more about the McFarland, USA true story by watching the Jim White interview below. Coach Jim White is retired now, but if you go to McFarland, chances are you willsee him out there on his bike, keeping up with the kids every evening with a lotof his original team running alongside as well. Diaz, who has been allowed to remain free throughout the process, cooperated fully with investigators, according to the prosecution. It was such a great experience. So hes a very knowledgeable guy. These I was able have aninterview 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. The Diaz brothers represent 3 of the 7 runners from the McFarland Cross Country team of 1987. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. DAMACIO DIAZ, by and through his counsel, DAVID A. TORRES, hereby submits Damacio Diaz' Statement in Mitigation for the court's consideration. Their stories were told in a beautiful way and they are excited Disney picked their tale to tell. He will have about two months to think about what comes next. 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 . And so, we were just happy that Disney stuck with that first year and were lucky to be in the movie. JIM WHITE : Ive done it quite often. 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. A South Valley legend so popular he became the subject of a Disney movie has taken a hard fall. The Bakersfield Californian says (http://bit.ly/2dGESLb) the U.S. Attorneys Office recommended between 17 and 22 years. Thomas Valles went on to become a prison guard (LA Times). The detective tipped him off about a Drug Enforcement Administration wiretap that captured him chatting, advising him to lay low, according to documents. Although, the brothers did say that the town hasnt really changed much, Coach White has noticed one big change. I still race competitively even though youre not as good as you once were. The former NFL player is an executive producer on Hulu's "Killing County.". "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. And, uh, low and behold, Mr. White, during Thanksgiving break, uh, when we have no school, he had an emergency. Timeline of Events - KGET 17 went on to college. Diaz, and father and mother Paul and Even some of us, after graduating college, like Danny, the day after he graduated from the university with the diploma, he was in the fields working, because that was, in our family, what was expecteduntil he got hired and got his job. But Mr. White was our second father. Keep an eye on your inbox for updates. Damacio Diaz, right, shakes hands with Tomas Valles as the team readies for the start of the Southern section championships in the 1987 season. Jim White is the main character of the sports drama film McFarland, USA. Did Coach White encourage you to use any of his style when youre teaching or coaching? This was an all expense paid trip provided by Disney. Damacio Diaz features in new Hulu documentary "Killing County. Its grapes and its oranges and its almonds and its cotton and stuff in our area, but those werent available. McFarland, USA comes to theaters on Friday, February 20th. Join Facebook to connect with Damacio Diaz and others you may know. So, my dad worked ten, twelve, thirteen, fourteen hours a day sometimes and both of them [his parents] come from large families. He was a fifth grade teacher and before he was a P.E. 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. Were all a year apart. That is why it was so amazing and cool that I got to interview Jim White, David Diaz, Damacio Diaz, and Danny Diaz. Eguenia was best described by many that 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. Let us send you our favorite posts and ideas once a week. Bakersfield, California, Police Narcotics Detective Charged with Patrick Mara, center, speaks while flanked by attorney Fred Gagliardini. of 1 Damacio Diaz, portrayed in McFarland USA movie, Bakersfield PD officer 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 assisted a narcotics dealer in the operation of the dea . We, we basically told our story, got interviewed for hours and hour and hours, and that was pretty much it. DAVID DIAZ : Not at all. director of photography Film Editing by David Coulson Casting By Sheila Jaffe Production Design by Richard Hoover 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. Newsweek has everything you need to know about what happened to Bakersfield cop Damacio Diaz and why. Our third man, Jose, he just-. experience coaching the team. In 2016 Diaz was sentenced for crimes including federal. PrepCalTrack.com conducted this Jim White 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. 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] Ray was arrested in February 2020 and in April 2022, following a four-week trial, he was convicted on several counts. Each one of the brothers are land owners in McFarland. According to the National Park Service, citing law enforcement officials, the husband and wife were discovered on Jan. 13. Newsweek has everything you need to know about what happened to Bakersfield cop Damacio Diaz and why he is featured on Killing County. FEMALE : How McFarland had changed, um, now that the movies gone? 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. Inspired by the irony of his last name, "Blanco" was one of the nicknames that the kids and their families gave Jim White. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Danny and Damacio run 3 to 5 miles a day to simply stay in shape. Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) is the new Diaz initially became well-known after the release of 2015 Disney movie, McFarland USA, starring Kevin Costner. Damacio Diaz, 48, is scheduled for release on May 10 while Patrick Mara, 40, is expected to be free on April 20, according to Federal Bureau of Prisons records. DANNY DIAZ : Running in the race, Mr. White and the rest of the guys were telling me Joses out of it. Learn how your comment data is processed. It was indeed the first time that many of the kids ever saw the ocean. Thats a long time in jail for someone who once wore a badge.. Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges he. They work in the school system and believe in. 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. The relationship between the brothers and Coach White is endearing. So , DANNY DIAZ : Mr. White never went back to Stockton never again. So I'd have two practices." [LAUGHS]. 1998 July - Damacio Diaz hired by the Bakersfield Police Department. In an extraordinary statement, Judge ONeill spoke directly to Diazs daughter, Caroline. McFarland, USA - Wikipedia And we try to trip him up on that, and hes very smart in that regard. Atty. McFarland, USA (2015) - IMDb Members of McFarland's Diaz family reflect Diaz initially became well-known after the release of 2015 Disney movie, McFarland USA, starring Kevin Costner.. 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. We don't know that anyone was physically injured as a result of it, fortunately. So for us, it was a way of life. 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. He gave them information to clean up the department, said his lawyer, David Torres, in an interview. All of us went to college. Davids the oldest and he was a bully. Coach White concurred and said their mom even asked why they didn't make her strict enough. DAMACIO DIAZ : And if I can add to that. [LAUGHS] We all, all of us are basketball players. Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? Both men are currently in halfway houses, Diaz in the Sacramento area and Mara in the Long Beach area. A lot of us competed in college. February 27, 2023 new bill passed in nj for inmates 2022 No Comments . 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. However, similar to the film, Jim White had never been a runner himself and used the bike to follow the team during their workouts. You pick up any type of bug or any type of leaf, he knows what it is. Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such conduct.". potential at the predominantly Latino high McFarland, USA: Directed by Niki Caro. Damacio Diaz, former BPD detective who stole drugs and put - YouTube