I never had pressure. Dozens of Coach Jim White's runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. They went back to the original first year that we won state. Gabriel Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego Diaz, and father and mother Paul and Juanita Diaz. 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. The former NFL player is an executive producer on Hulu's "Killing County.". They were very respectful and well-mannered towards him, treating him with much respect as we talked. I understand he did a lot of good before this criminal activity. 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. 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. Therefore, Damacio pleaded guilty to bribery, possession, attempted possession with the intent to distribute, and false income tax returns on May 31, 2016 hed resigned from BPD months prior. 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. When the informant left, the narcotics detective found just under $1,000 in the passenger-side door pocket. BPD detective Damacio Diaz, portrayed in McFarland USA movie arrested Their actions risked their fellow officers safety for greed.. You have permission to edit this article. The multi-part documentary is coming to the streaming platform on February 3 and includes first-person interviews with individuals and families plagued by gun violence, officer-involved homicides and other crimes in Bakersfield and Kern County, California. 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. 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. Disgraced former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz, one of the real-life heroes of the movie "McFarland USA," was sentenced Monday in U . Bakersfield Man Sentenced for Conspiring with Police Officers to Sell We were racing big races and trying to accomplish big things, so we looked at Mr. White as our dad. So Im always looking out for their kids. Former detective Patrick Mara was also. . They talk about being DAMACIO DIAZ : They said youre fat. Damacio stated that they were very proud of the way the movie portrayed their story their family. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. But if it werent for sports our kids would be lost, because its either education and sports or the streets. What is going on here is really outrageous, said criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos. . We run three, four, five miles a day just to stay in shape. 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.". Second, he expressed sympathy regarding the educational quandary in which she finds herself. of 1 If they took statements, seized evidence or wrote reports, we will be sending letters to defense attorneys or defendants that represented themselves, she said. We basically told our story, got interviewed for hours and hour and hours, and that was pretty much it. [LAUGHS]. McFarland, USA vs. the True Story of Coach Jim White's 1987 Team and preaching in the Church of Christ. In 2016, Diaz, 48, was sentenced for "federal programs bribery, possession and attempted possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and making and subscribing a false income tax return." BAKERSFIELD, Calif., (KBAK/KBFX) Damacio Diaz, a former Detective for the Bakersfield Police Department, has been released from federal custody. View the profiles of people named Damacio Diaz. That the judge would even mention such a possibility underscored the unusual nature of the hearing. Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego And, wow, those hills are its not rolling hills. Damacio Diaz sentenced | KBAK They spoke often of God and their church, as well as the work they do there. McFarland, USA - Wikipedia We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. All Rights Reserved. Damacio Diaz was sitting in his car alongside informant Guillermo "Memo" Magallanes. That decision also rocked the Kern County criminal justice system, marking the beginning of an ugly police corruption scandal involving cash, drugs and protection. experience coaching the team. 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. Jim White and the Diaz Brothers with our Group for McFarland, USA. 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. Sunny to partly cloudy. There is no shame in admitting that this case has kept me awake at night, and few do, ONeill said to the packed courtroom. So, for us it was normal. Were all a year apart. True Crime news & latest pictures from Newsweek.com 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. DANNY DIAZ : We didnt train. David is represented in the McFarland, USA movie along with two of his brothers, Damacio and Danny. I have seven kids myself and all of us have a lot of kids. A true crime thriller we made set in Kevin McCarthys district. Five years in jail for a law enforcement officer thats still a serious sentence. Uh, it was 1988 and I was a senior at that time and my brother, Damacio, was a junior. No, the real Coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980. Thomas Valles went on to become a prison guard (LA Times). About $15,000 stuck out of Magallanes'. 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. DANNY DIAZ : That is true. Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. 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. Early on, ONeill seemed to be signaling he was taking a hard-line stance. Kern County Dist. went on to college. So I'd have two practices." Thank you for reading! He pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges he. They investigated every name that came up, uncovered every rock, and no one elses name came to light in their scandal, the chief said. Diaz, a former Bakersfield police detective, is interviewed on camera in Killing County. They pocketed 4 pounds and turned in just a pound as evidence, officials said. And then Disney resigned us and got a better script writer. 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. 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. When I found out that it was Christian driven (truth !) He is portrayed by Kevin Costner. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. And so, we were just happy that Disney stuck with that first year and were lucky to be in the movie. Jim White, David Diaz, Damacio Diaz and Danny Diaz for McFarland, USA. Diaz was not remanded into custody. How much or any input did you have to have on the filming, the making the movie? This one looks awesome, can't wait to see it. Defendants could seek motions for a new trial or to withdraw pleas in some cases. The best result we found for your search is Damacio Diaz age 50s in Bakersfield, CA. It depends on the circumstances. Leopoldo's father abandoned his wife and children. We are no longer theHeartbeat of Agriculture. As stated above, the real Jim White started teaching in the McFarland School District straight out of college in 1964. Plus I am a big Kevin Costner fan, I dont think I have ever not liked one of his movies. Write by: Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Diaz pleaded guilty last spring as part of a plea agreement that became public in May. Damacio Diaz features in new Hulu documentary "Killing County. They couldve chosen any other team, because we have nine state titles. And sports is what kind of helped us get out of that. "I can't say I was going to jump, but I was thinking about my life and why some people would jump. Some of these teams that came after us were way better than us, way better than me as far as the running. Additionally, Coach White would be there for counseling and fulfilling needs beyond what their parents could afford. His performance at the 1987 state meet did help McFarland lock up the title. Like in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a horrible fight. But the guys over here were in decent shape still. The community of McFarlandis important to them. Raul was also a runner on the team when his sister was killed. An elderly couple from Las Vegas were found dead earlier this month in Death Valley National Park, law enforcement officials said. The legendary former McFarland I cannot thank all of the people involved enough for bringing this story to us. I notice a lot of you became teachers. Damacio Diaz said he doesn't recognize the man he was three years ago when he was a detective working for Bakersfield police. He did a lot of things for us that our dad couldnt, becauseit financially just wasnt available. The highest homicide rate The most crime. Damacio Diaz, former BPD detective who stole drugs and put - YouTube Now we are a runner running through the field, a figure silhouette of a runner. Bakersfield Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Conspiring - KTLA Would they flee bargain the same way with non-police criminals? More than 100 convictions were overturned as a result. He literally would buy us shoes, feed us, counsel us, console us when we lost, that kinda stuff. It was indeed the first time that many of the kids ever saw the ocean. Bakersfield Police Narcotics Detective Charged With Bribery, Drug [LAUGHS]. 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. Damacio Diaz pleaded guilty to bribery, drugtrafficking and tax evasion. All of a sudden I saw these headlights and it was Mr. White in his '59 Chevy." Greens office reviewed 87 cases of the detectives involving 123 defendants before deciding to send the letters. That year, Mara filed for bankruptcy and said he was drinking heavily. But U.S. Atty. And we were running number one all year long. Former Bakersfield Police Department Detective Sentenced to 5 Years in Sports in high school can make or break a young man. That day I was fifth runner and I felt so much pressure, but you know, lucky we were able to pull it off. [LAUGHS] So, just to let yall know were proud of what Hollywood did and what Niki and the producer and everyone did, but we lived in a very, very strict environment and still do to this day. Talbert said that we concluded no officers were complicit in joining Diaz and Mara, and that no further prosecutions were planned at this time. McFarland Residents Shocked by Arrest of Bakersfield Cop Portrayed in The U.S. Attorneys Office had recommended a sentence of between roughly 17 and 22 years, but the judge had discretion. 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. Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick is an executive producer on new Hulu documentary "Killing County," which explores the story of Damacio Diaz. (I am in the red in the back betweenDamacio and Danny). Police Corruption Scandal in Bakersfield Could Jeopardize Other May God BLESS you all richly. We dont have actually any [CHUCKLES] malls. Mara was released from a halfway house in April after serving a little less than four years in federal prison. [LAUGHS] Theymade me, uh . DANNY DIAZ : Absolutely. DAMACIO DIAZ : Go ahead and call it. Yes. They threw it out. Local photojournalist John Harte, who followed the team at the time, says that he witnessed opposing teams offer genuine handshakes of good luck. A look at the real "McFarland USA" kids and coach Jim White If I could beat their third, fourth, fifth man, sixth man whatever, I would add more points to them. Officer Damacio Diaz - Ugly Judge Defendant reserves the . Its hard to understand how he could do both.. In fact, a blink of an eye as you drive down Highway 99 in California and you will miss it. 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. 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 is scheduled to premiere on Hulu on Friday, February 3. The relationship between the brothers and Coach White is endearing. 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. Damacio Diaz, right, shakes hands with Tomas Valles as the team readies for the start of the Southern section championships in the 1987 season. He offers the kids a chance DAMACIO DIAZ : Us training together, maam? . on their time as cross country runners 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. The love they genuinely have for him was heartfelt and true. DANNY DIAZ : Running in the race, Mr. White and the rest of the guys were telling me Joses out of it. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The charges against Damacio Diaz have people in his hometown in disbelief. Disgraced former BPD officers Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara - KGET 17 DIAZEugenia Vasquez Diaz loving wife, mother, grandmother passed away on August 1, 2012 at the age of 94. 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. 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.". Magallanes then told another drug dealer to dump his phone. But Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson said the federal and internal inquiries after 18 months cleared them all. Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such conduct.". I had never been the top five, and as you know the top five are the ones that score. It was fat. Sentencing for Damacio Diaz continued to October - Yahoo! News