Yet his desire to always be at the front and center of action soon reached such an extent that he started blurring the line between right and wrong, resulting in his arrest in November 2015. Disgraced cop's 5-year sentence a fraction of prosection's recommendation, Corrupt cops compel Kern DA to inform defense attorneys about 'tainted' cases. Facebook gives people the power to. The former narcotics officer is now known, however, for going to prison in 2016 for charges tied to drugs, bribery and tax fraud. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Diaz pleaded guilty last spring as part of a plea agreement that became public in May. They also plan to seize about $50,000 in cash and a home in an exclusive McFarland neighborhood. By Laura Donaldson On 2/3/23 at 8:00 AM EST 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. 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. Mr. White was there as a person that we can rely on. Mr. Diaz, their dad Paul, he pushed education real hard, too. Wife of public defender who died at Mexico resort speaks out. That was the only thing really that they had thats available to show that type of work [for the movie]. 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. It was indeed the first time that many of the kids ever saw the ocean. In Boise, Idaho, 1987, Jim White and his title of coach is signifying his status as a . 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.. Diaz will be sentenced for three federal counts on October 3rd. 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They appeared happy to be with us, and they enjoyed sharing their behind the scenes stories about the . [LAUGHS]. Hi everyone! pic.twitter.com/qKxl7i5dfn. Diaz became well-known after being portrayed in the 2015 Disney movie, McFarland USA, starring Kevin Costner, about the transformation of a running team in McFarland. "Sometimes I helped them work in the fields," says the real Coach Jim White, "but more importantly, I had practice at a different time. 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. And sports is what kind of helped us get out of that. My dad has 13 brothers and sisters. 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. Diaz, his large extended family, his friends and supporters including Jim White, the legendary McFarland High School cross country coach who was featured along with the Diaz brothers in the Disney movie, McFarland, USA, gathered in a prayer circle outside the courtroom following the hearing. The detective tipped him off about a Drug Enforcement Administration wiretap that captured him chatting, advising him to lay low, according to documents. 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. DANNY DIAZ : Im trying to be nice here. And we were running number one all year long. And, wow, those hills are its not rolling hills. The love they genuinely have for him was heartfelt and true. I still race competitively even though youre not as good as you once were. JIM WHITE : Let, let me add one thing to that. View Public Details & Court Records. (I am in the red in the back betweenDamacio and Danny). Diaz did a lot of good things, Delaney said. They talk about being inspired to strive for something beyond picking in the fields. A true crime thriller we made set in Kevin McCarthys district. About $15,000 stuck out of Magallanes shorts. They have also lived in Mc Farland, CA and Delano, CA. However, it was later revealed that BPD Detectives Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara were involved in making Ramirez an informant. Calif. Ray was arrested in February 2020 and in April 2022, following a four-week trial, he was convicted on several counts. Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? We maybe started school but hardly any of us finished. In the least, such scenes seem to have been exaggerated by the filmmakers. 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. He must report to federal authorities before 2 p.m. Dec. 5 to begin serving his sentence. children ran for Jim White and all seven Diaz would quickly implicate Mara and then suggest others were making money too. Prosecutors are specifically reexamining cases from 2011 to 2014, when the partners were committing crimes. The Bakersfield Californian says (http://bit.ly/2dGESLb) the U.S. Attorneys Office recommended between 17 and 22 years. She was amazing in the movie. If one or two of those boys couldn't make practice at four o'clock 'cause they're just gettin' in from work, then I might practice at 6 or 7 o'clock with those boys. All opinions expressed are my own. [LAUGHS] We didnt do cabbage. Its a poor community. 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. He also committed serious, reprehensible crimes. The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. Where are Damacio and Patrick now? Our third man, Jose, he just-. Twitter. 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 . 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. The film is based on a true story, about how American cross country coach James "Jim" White coached the team of Hispanic kids at McFarland High School, from nobodies to mysteries to the racing community. 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. Former narcotics detective Damacio Diaz has accepted a plea deal in connection with federal charges that could send him to prison for life. They went back to the original first year that we won state. Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such conduct.". . In May 2020, Diaz was released from a halfway house in Sacramento, where he was staying after serving his time. Talbert said that we concluded no officers were complicit in joining Diaz and Mara, and that no further prosecutions were planned at this time. And so, I cant keep up with my kids in high school [CHUCKLES], but I go with my little seven-year-old. But this is gonna be a family movie, so it is okay. DAVID DIAZ : Uh, we donttrain. Chance of rain 40%. 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. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. 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. Ray referred to Felicia Rosario as his "wife," though they were never married. We have changed our city logo. Damacio Diaz said he doesn't recognize the man he was three years ago when he was a detective working for Bakersfield police. A full house of over three hundred gave a rousing standing ovation to Jim and his wife, Cheryl. What Happened to Damacio Diaz? FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The charges against Damacio Diaz have people in his hometown in disbelief. . Low 44F. His wife and family, including a brother who works at McFarland high school, all supported him in court Friday afternoon. -KGET 17, Yes. In a tweet promoting the documentary, the star mentioned the high homicide and crime rates in Bakersfield, calling the series a "thriller set in Kevin McCarthy's district," in reference to House Speaker McCarthy, whose congressional district includes parts of Bakersfield. Additionally, Coach White would be there for counseling and fulfilling needs beyond what their parents could afford. That decision also rocked the Kern County criminal justice system, marking the beginning of an ugly police corruption scandal involving cash, drugs and protection. BAKERSFIELD, Calif., (KBAK/KBFX) Damacio Diaz, a former Detective for the Bakersfield Police Department, has been released from federal custody. All seven Diaz children ran for Jim White and all seven went on to . "I can't say I was going to jump, but I was thinking about my life and why some people would jump. 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. Diaz initially became well-known after the release of 2015 Disney movie, McFarland USA, starring Kevin Costner. 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. These were the guys running in the California heat and winning state titles. Damacio Diaz (R) and guest attend the Bakersfield Special Screening of "McFarland, USA" in Bakersfield, CA on Feb. 15th, 2015. 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. And we were part of the Royal Rangers andwe did that on Tuesday nights at our local church. But Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson said the federal and internal inquiries after 18 months cleared them all. -KGET 17, Yes. cross country coach talks about what it Damacio Diaz features in new Hulu documentary "Killing County. That year, Mara filed for bankruptcy and said he was drinking heavily. The three Diaz brothers featured in the new Disney movie, David, Damacio and Danny, all speak highly of both of their parents. I didnt enjoy it very much. 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. It reviewed 87 cases. Although, David did add that his mom is actually much more strict than she is made to bein the movie. They all spend some time running with the cross country team, as well as with their own kids. Federal authorities say 43-year-old Damacio Diaz took bribes from a narcotics dealer, and, in exchange, provided the names of police informants, gave details of law enforcement investigations, and tried to protect him from arrest. McFarland High School is actually just down the road from the Central Valley Correctional Facility, not across the street. Damacio Diaz. We love our dad. He went back and got it. My dad gives me a sense of security, she told the court. The hearing included impassioned appeals by Diazs brother, wife and daughter, with the two latter witnesses in tears through much of their statements. They became the drug traffickers themselves, he said. It was such a great experience. Diaz, a former Bakersfield police detective, is interviewed on camera in Killing County. 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. Damacio stated that they were very proud of the way the movie portrayed their story their family. 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. Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. 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. When the informant left, the narcotics detective found just under $1,000 in the passenger-side door pocket. This one looks awesome, can't wait to see it. picking in the fields. It taught you how to accept losing or winning. We have also done internal investigations on many allegations that were made and once again they have been unable to uncover anything. 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. You have permission to edit this article. So Im always looking out for their kids. However, he had been a teacher in the McFarland School District since 1964, following his graduation from Pepperdine University. People Search However, he did rebuild the boys and girls cross country programs from the ground up. 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. All of a sudden I saw these headlights and it was Mr. White in his '59 Chevy." We signed with this one company. My parents definitely pushed us to go that route and not thewide road most people go to is other than college. He advised her to first trust in God, as the Almighty, he said, is not subject to the weaknesses and failings of humankind. They came from a large family where faith,educationand hard work were important. [CHUCKLES] Same thing happened back in the day when we were kids. Then to keep him on the narrow road or that straight road is tough. [LAUGHS] And we dont have the big grocery stores. Here's what we know. He told me to take my wife out on a date or buy my kids something, Diaz would later recall in court papers. Their stories were told in a beautiful way and they are excited Disney picked their tale to tell. To read the article in Spanish, click here, Insider is sentenced to prison in scam that nearly took down L.A.s last black bank, Man accused of threatening to kill people at Islamic center because of hatred for Muslims, Man is charged with attempted murder after break-in at Miranda Kerrs Malibu home. PE teacher in McFarland, an economically Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick is an executive producer on the project, and says in the trailer that it "is one of the most powerful projects I've ever been involved with.". How often do you guys still train together with the new students? 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.". Their parents are also highly regarded by each of them and they obviously have a deep love for the family unit. DANNY DIAZ : Once you give them your story, obviously you sign with them. Federal prosecutors in court sentencing documents said Mara had two patrol officers stop a vehicle the detectives knew was carrying 5 pounds of methamphetamine. Lisa Green is sending letters to defendants in 64 potentially tainted criminal convictions after her office examined scores of convictions involving the work of the disgraced pair. 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. DAMACIO DIAZ : Yeah, were very, very proud of the way the movie portrayed us, our family. See Sites with Your Personal Info. JIM WHITE : Let me add a little bit of that. Patrick Mara, center, speaks while flanked by attorney Fred Gagliardini. 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. All the notoriety that theyre getting and what this man over here, Mr. White, our coach, has brought to not just our program but to our community. This hearing is not about telling someone they are no good, ONeill said. DANNY DIAZ : east from McFarland, Mr. White here would take us to the hills. 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. 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. DANNY DIAZ : Yeah, if you drive600 miles out . You know we are a God-fearing folks, so we were teaching in Sunday school on Sundays. FEMALE : How McFarland had changed, um, now that the movies gone? director of photography Film Editing by David Coulson Casting By Sheila Jaffe Production Design by Richard Hoover Did Coach White encourage you to use any of his style when youre teaching or coaching? Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz. Sports in high school can make or break a young man. Yes. Oh, its more than an indiscretion, he said. 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. That day I was fifth runner and I felt so much pressure, but you know, lucky we were able to pull it off. Damacio Diaz, photo courtesy of Mama Latina Tips. The community of McFarland still works as a village to raise their youth. When the informant left, the narcotics detective found just under $1,000 in the passenger-side door pocket. of 1 These men were the real life inspirations for McFarland USA. Both are about to begin five-year federal prison sentences for their crimes. Diaz, who has been allowed to remain free throughout the process, cooperated fully with investigators, according to the prosecution. The former BPD official apparently knew what he was doing wasnt right in any way, shape, or form, yet he couldnt find a way out as there was no one he could approach for help, as per the docuseries. So that was my experience for the first time at state having the pressure. Do you feel like the movie does a good job of describing that culture (of family and pickers)? - 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. Is that how the last race happened? So, that was a real good part of the movie though. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. A former Bakersfield Police detective, serving time in prison for his role in a drug ring, has been released. Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. [LAUGHS]. So, for us it was normal. DANNY DIAZ : We, we love basketball. The U.S. Attorneys Office had recommended a sentence of between roughly 17 and 22 years, but the judge had discretion. Wife of California doctor who drove family off cliff in Tesla doesn't want him prosecuted . There are no shopping malls or large grocery stores. 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 .