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. When the informant left, the narcotics detective found just under $1,000 in the passenger-side door pocket. 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. Our father never could ever go watch us race. "McFarland's Family of Champions," are Diaz may be a free man later tonight, but he's facing life in prison for allegedly helping a meth dealer get drugs and stay undetected, all while he was supposed to be a narcotics detective. So, thatwas good. Its hard to understand how he could do both.. In the least, such scenes seem to have been exaggerated by the filmmakers. If they took statements, seized evidence or wrote reports, we will be sending letters to defense attorneys or defendants that represented themselves, she said. DAVID DIAZ : He was a very inspirational part. Julie and Jami are depicted in the McFarland, USA movie. 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. Additionally, Coach White would be there for counseling and fulfilling needs beyond what their parents could afford. Mr. White had a lot more influence in how this script was written. 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. Kevin Costner (Coach Jim White) and Diana Maria Riva (Seora Diaz) in McFarland, USA. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Damacio Diaz, 43, was arrested on November 20, 2015 and 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. The movie is based on the true story of a 1987 cross country team, that Diaz was a member of, from a mainly Latino high school in McFarland, California, that won a state championship. So, for us it was normal. Damacio Diaz, 44, of McFarland, formerly a detective with the Bakersfield Police Department, was sentenced today to five years in prison for bribery . Sunny to partly cloudy. Dozens of Coach Jim White's runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. In fact, a blink of an eye as you drive down Highway 99 in California and you will miss it. DAMACIO DIAZ, by and through his counsel, DAVID A. TORRES, hereby submits Damacio Diaz' Statement in Mitigation for the court's consideration. A previous version of this article said the district attorneys office reviewed 108 cases involving the detectives. 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. Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz. 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. They investigated every name that came up, uncovered every rock, and no one elses name came to light in their scandal, the chief said. And difficult to say what opportunities were missed or how much damage was done," said Benjamin Wagner, US Attorney. Timeline of Events - KGET 17 Second former BPD cop could receive up to 27 years, but Deputies agree to plead guilty to drug charge in case connected to disgraced BPD cop, VIDEO: Christmas wonderland featuring the Grinch Mobile, Graphic Content: 2014 homicide of Abel Trujillo, Kern County Public Health Services Department, Mansion's $3M sale tops high-end price trend, California community colleges rely too much on part-time faculty and misspend funds, audit finds, Frontier's Estrada repeats as 145-pound state boys wrestling champion; Golden Valley's Roby is runner-up in girls 189, Aera sells to German energy investor, Canadian pension fund, Home prices still under pressure as Bakersfields median skids, PHOTO GALLERY: Day 3 of the 3-day CIF State Wrestling Championships, PHOTO GALLERY: Day 2 of the 3-day CIF State Wrestling Championships, PHOTO GALLERY: Day 1 of March Meet at Famoso Raceway, PHOTO GALLERY: Opening day of the 3-day CIF State Wrestling Championships, PHOTO GALLERY: Kennedy hosts Delano in the Central Section Division V boys soccer championship, PHOTO GALLERY: 'It keeps them wanting to come to school': Shirley Lane Elementary celebrates Read Across America, PHOTO GALLERY: 'A beautiful Black History Month party', PHOTO GALLERY: Cold snap causes snow, road closures near Frazier Park, PHOTO GALLERY: CALM's black bear Cid makes Super Bowl pick. 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. But thats okay. Disgraced cop's 5-year sentence a fraction of prosection's Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. So, Danny youre talking about they made you a little different. We are no longer theHeartbeat of Agriculture. Members of McFarland's Diaz family reflect Diazs loyalty to Magallanes would be his downfall. Damacio stated that they were very proud of the way the movie portrayed their story their family. When I found out that it was Christian driven (truth !) Federal prosecutors in court sentencing documents said Mara had two patrol officers stop a vehicle the detectives knew was carrying 5 pounds of methamphetamine. DAMACIO DIAZ : They said youre fat. 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. See Sites with Your Personal Info. Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick is an executive producer on new Hulu documentary "Killing County," which explores the story of Damacio Diaz. It was great meeting you on the trip - it was such fun! See more stories in. Soon Diaz and Mara were getting into other illegal activities, authorities said. We have changed our city logo. 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. Wife of California doctor who drove family off cliff in Tesla doesn't want him prosecuted . Now that he's cooperating with authorities, he has allegedly implicated others in the department, including his former partner . Mr. Diaz, their dad Paul, he pushed education real hard, too. Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? That was the only thing really that they had thats available to show that type of work [for the movie]. 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. Theres nothing to do in McFarland. And so, its just a fun place to be. 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. 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. He advised her to first trust in God, as the Almighty, he said, is not subject to the weaknesses and failings of humankind. 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. Prosecutors are specifically reexamining cases from 2011 to 2014, when the partners were committing crimes. Damacio Diaz - Address & Phone Number | Whitepages Damacio Diaz, former BPD detective who stole drugs and put - KGET 17 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). FRESNO, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) Former Bakersfield police detective Damacio Diaz was sentenced Monday in federal court to five years in prison. But U.S. Atty. These were the guys running in the California heat and winning state titles. A look at the real "McFarland USA" kids and coach Jim White Hi everyone! Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. 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. The Feds arrested him at the department Friday morning and removed evidence. For my son, it pushed him to go to college and do well while he was in high school. I wanna know is your mom really that way, because she was a scene stealer? My mom has 12. The. How did that impact your lives during high school to move on in the future? Diaz and his partner, Patrick Mara, later admitted to ripping off drug dealers of their methamphetamine during traffic stops. DANNY DIAZ : That is true. We run once in a whileamongst, DAVID DIAZ : ourselves. 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. DAVID DIAZ : So, it helps you running wise and mentally wise, as well, because you have to endure that steepness, if you will. But if it werent for sports our kids would be lost, because its either education and sports or the streets. Interview with Jim White and the Diaz Brothers for McFarland, USA I notice a lot of you became teachers. Everyone there is excited about the movie and thenotoriety they have been receiving from it. So, thats a big change. 12, The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. Overall though, they agreed that the picker lifestyle and Latino culture of the community was perfectly captured. -KGET 17, Yes. These guys are amazing and it was a pleasure meeting them and listening to them. Where is Damacio Diaz Now? 'Killing County' on Hulu Explores His Story 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. Colin Kaepernick releases trailer for new true crime docuseries FRESNO Disgraced former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court to five years in federal prison a far more lenient sentence than prosecutors had urged for offenses including drug trafficking, taking bribes and lying on his tax return. May God BLESS you all richly. Youre driving on 99, the freeway, and you blink and youll miss it. My dad gives me a sense of security, she told the court. However, he had been a teacher in the McFarland School District since 1964, following his graduation from Pepperdine University. Carter would then could sell those narcotics for profit. was like to have a movie made about his And so, we have kids that are in high school and some that are in elementary school. under Coach Jim White at McFarland High The story of McFarland started with a cross-country in the '80s. It was a huge fall from grace for Diaz, who was well known in the Central Valley as being a member of the high school cross-country running team portrayed in the 2015 Disney movie McFarland, USA.. 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. September 22, 2016, 12:07 PM. Atty. White sees the athletic Bakersfield. Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Magallanes then told another drug dealer to dump his phone. -John Harte, Yes, and at times the White family paid for new shoes and clothing for the team out of their own pockets. Silvia was 16 and Herlinda was 14. We dont have the big malls. David Diaz is behind Victor wearing a white t-shirt and McFarland hat. 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. . it was in various stages, because this was about a 15-year process for us, my wife and I . Mara was released from a halfway house a month before Diaz, in April 2020, after serving just under four years in federal prison. 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 movie is based on the true story of a 1987 cross . They came from a large family where faith,educationand hard work were important. The Feds said Diaz was cheating the system in several ways -- for one, by stealing cash for drug buys or stealing the drugs from drug buys. They are a faith-filled family. Under it you read three words:Tradition, Unity, and Excellence. JIM WHITE : Ive done it quite often. He gave them information to clean up the department, said his lawyer, David Torres, in an interview. Information from: The Bakersfield Californian, http://www.bakersfield.com. [LAUGHS] Theymade me, uh . My dad has 13 brothers and sisters. And, uh, low and behold, Mr. White, during Thanksgiving break, uh, when we have no school, he had an emergency. Killing County is scheduled to premiere on Hulu on Friday, February 3. Disgraced cop of 'McFarland USA' fame gets five years in prison This behavior became common, prosecutors said. We would like your email. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Silvia died on October 27, Herlinda on October 28. So we have a lot of uncles and everybody has a lot of kids. I feel safe knowing he is in my corner.. People Search I didnt enjoy it very much. She was amazing in the movie. Assistant U.S. Atty Brian Delaney said Magallanes was arrested in a separate case and told officials about Diaz. David is represented in the McFarland, USA movie along with two of his brothers, Damacio and Danny. 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. All Rights Reserved. of 1 Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. A South Valley legend so popular he became the subject of a Disney movie has taken a hard fall. All seven Diaz children ran for Jim White and all seven went on to . They couldve chosen any other team, because we have nine state titles. He did a lot of things for us that our dad couldnt, becauseit financially just wasnt available. Although, David did add that his mom is actually much more strict than she is made to bein the movie. Write by: On one occasion, Mrs. Diaz made 200 dozen tamales to send the team to Asia. Diaz was a member of the team that won the state championship. Kevin Costner and others picking in the fields in McFarland, USA. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. But I still do that and I coach. Go see it with your family! Former BPD detective, Damacio Diaz sentenced to 5 years - KERO to know what it feels like to be The hearing included impassioned appeals by Diazs brother, wife and daughter, with the two latter witnesses in tears through much of their statements. 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. 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. [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.. His performance at the 1987 state meet did help McFarland lock up the title. Tom Sizemore dead at 61 after suffering brain aneurysm, Crews helping residents stranded by snow in Mariposa County, Home catches fire in snow-covered neighborhood in North Fork. About $15,000 stuck out of Magallanes shorts. 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. Vida en el Valle file Daniel Casarez. Diaz then began cooperating with federal investigators and named other cops he said were corrupt. 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. They talk about being inspired to strive for something beyond picking in the fields. They became the drug traffickers themselves, he said. Many of the citizens of McFarland were extras in the movie. DAMACIO DIAZ : Yeah, were very, very proud of the way the movie portrayed us, our family. 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. Their actions risked their fellow officers safety for greed.. -LA Times. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The charges against Damacio Diaz have people in his hometown in disbelief. DAMACIO DIAZ : Us training together, maam? When the informant left, the narcotics detective found just under $1,000 in the passenger-side door pocket. It gave you character. You pick up any type of bug or any type of leaf, he knows what it is. And so, I cant keep up with my kids in high school [CHUCKLES], but I go with my little seven-year-old. And so, we were just happy that Disney stuck with that first year and were lucky to be in the movie. I can't wait to see this movie! BAKERSFIELD, Calif. A former Bakersfield Police detective, serving time in prison for his role in a drug ring, has been released. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Diaz, a former Bakersfield police detective, is interviewed on camera in Killing County. Oh, its more than an indiscretion, he said. 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. So , DANNY DIAZ : Mr. White never went back to Stockton never again. But the guys over here were in decent shape still. [LAUGHS]. I had never been the top five, and as you know the top five are the ones that score. 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. Former detective depicted in 'McFarland, USA' is sentenced to five Since we have a newborn we weren't able to see the pre-screening in theaters but I hope to see it as soon as it comes out on DVD. I still race competitively even though youre not as good as you once were. [LAUGHS] We all, all of us are basketball players. Former Bakersfield Police Department Detective Pleads Guilty to Bribery Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego 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. McFarland, USA vs. the True Story of Coach Jim White's 1987 Team That streak ended while the movie was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I status, a byproduct of their success. To you culture, um, is all about community and it takes a village to raise a child. More than 100 convictions were overturned as a result. The U.S. Attorneys Office had recommended a sentence of between roughly 17 and 22 years, but the judge had discretion. Source: YouTube/KGET Article continues below advertisement Fun fact: Rafael Martinez, who plays David Diaz in the movie, is one of my closest friends even to this day! Jim White restarted the program in 1980 after it had been dropped for a year. 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. So hes a very knowledgeable guy. JIM WHITE : Let me add a little bit of that. We, we basically told our story, got interviewed for hours and hour and hours, and that was pretty much it. [CHUCKLES]. Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such conduct.". Were all a year apart. Former BPD officers who resold seized drugs released from federal And then Disney resigned us and got a better script writer. 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? When one of Diazs attorneys used the word indiscretion to describe Diazs misdeeds, ONeill interrupted. The highest homicide rate The most crime. DAMACIO DIAZ : The one that took off real fast, you know. But Mr. White was our second father. Damacio Diaz was a subject of the movie McFarland USA and became a Bakersfield police officer. 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 . picking in the fields. Eugenia Diaz Obituary (1918 - 2012) - San Antonio, TX - San Antonio Yes. Damacio Diaz was sitting in his car alongside informant Guillermo "Memo" Magallanes. We started picking and hoeing and raking and doing everything you could possibly think of. Plus I love Kevin Costner! Diaz did a lot of good things, Delaney said. Coach White called Thomas over. He offers the kids a chance 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. So that was my experience for the first time at state having the pressure. After his father left, Leopoldo and his mother decided to pack .