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.". Patrick Mara, center, speaks while flanked by attorney Fred Gagliardini. Chance of rain 40%. Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick is an executive producer on new Hulu documentary "Killing County," which explores the story of Damacio Diaz. There is no shame in admitting that this case has kept me awake at night, and few do, ONeill said to the packed courtroom. [LAUGHS]. They were cross country state champs in 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001. You pick up any type of bug or any type of leaf, he knows what it is. Along with fellow BPD Detective Patrick Mara, 40, the two were sentenced to five years in federal prison. Some of these teams that came after us were way better than us, way better than me as far as the running. And theres not much to do there. No, the real Coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980. Our third man, Jose, he just-. 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. Assistant U.S. Atty Brian Delaney said Magallanes was arrested in a separate case and told officials about Diaz. 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.. DIAZEugenia Vasquez Diaz loving wife, mother, grandmother passed away on August 1, 2012 at the age of 94. 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. They all spend some time running with the cross country team, as well as with their own kids. He also committed serious, reprehensible crimes. 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. Select this result to view Damacio Diaz's phone number, address, and more. Four years ago on a sweltering afternoon, Bakersfield Police Det. champions. Where are Damacio and Patrick now? But in reality the script that was written, we prayed that it would never happen. May God BLESS you all richly. If they took statements, seized evidence or wrote reports, we will be sending letters to defense attorneys or defendants that represented themselves, she said. Eguenia was best described by many that So, that was a real good part of the movie though. [LAUGHS] We didnt do cabbage. Diaz, a former Bakersfield police detective, is interviewed on camera in Killing County. The student thus enrolled at California State University-Fresno while changing his major to Criminology as well as Military Science (1992-1996) before deciding to acquire training on the job. Hi everyone! They came from a large family where faith,educationand hard work were important. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. JIM WHITE : Let, let me add one thing to that. Mara was released from a halfway house in April after serving a little less than four years in federal prison. Diaz would quickly implicate Mara and then suggest others were making money too. View Others. 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. Kevin Costner (Coach Jim White) and Diana Maria Riva (Seora Diaz) in McFarland, USA. That streak ended while the movie was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I status, a byproduct of their success. Diaz then began cooperating with federal investigators and named other cops he said were corrupt. cross country coach talks about what it After the interview we were able to get a picture with them. Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. I didn't want to go home," says Thomas. Write by: 12, The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. Local photojournalist John Harte, who followed the team at the time, says that he witnessed opposing teams offer genuine handshakes of good luck. The relationship between the brothers and Coach White is endearing. All seven Diaz children ran for Jim White and all seven went on to . Second, he expressed sympathy regarding the educational quandary in which she finds herself. DAMACIO DIAZ : The one that took off real fast, you know. Ray was arrested in February 2020 and in April 2022, following a four-week trial, he was convicted on several counts. We were racing big races and trying to accomplish big things, so we looked at Mr. White as our dad. The hearing included impassioned appeals by Diazs brother, wife and daughter, with the two latter witnesses in tears through much of their statements. Uh, it was 1988 and I was a senior at that time and my brother, Damacio, was a junior. 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. Damacio stated that they were very proud of the way the movie portrayed their story their family. Then the following season, we were ranked number one for the entire season. So for us, it was a way of life. 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). 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. 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 . 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. "It was damaging. I can't wait to see this movie! Damacio Diaz - CA Cross Country results and photos on Athletic.net children ran for Jim White and all seven It was fat. Forty-four of his cases will result in letters. Not exactly. "I can't say I was going to jump, but I was thinking about my life and why some people would jump. No foul language or nudity - just fresh air. DAMACIO DIAZ : Go ahead and call it. Plus I am a big Kevin Costner fan, I dont think I have ever not liked one of his movies. That the judge would even mention such a possibility underscored the unusual nature of the hearing. -LA Times. Although, David did add that his mom is actually much more strict than she is made to bein the movie. Disgraced former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz, one of the real-life heroes of the movie "McFarland USA," was sentenced Monday in U . His wife and family, including a brother who works at McFarland high school, all supported him in court Friday afternoon. Now that he's cooperating with authorities, he has allegedly implicated others in the department, including his former partner . Davids the oldest and he was a bully. "Sometimes I helped them work in the fields," says the real Coach Jim White, "but more importantly, I had practice at a different time. Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? 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. 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 . They pocketed 4 pounds and turned in just a pound as evidence, officials said. 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. Atty. Ray referred to Felicia Rosario as his "wife," though they were never married. teacher. 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. DAVID DIAZ : Uh, we donttrain. [CHUCKLES]. Federal prosecutors in court sentencing documents said Mara had two patrol officers stop a vehicle the detectives knew was carrying 5 pounds of methamphetamine. Dozens of Coach Jim White's runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. According to Torres, the federal system will keep Diaz behind bars for more than four years before he becomes eligible for release. "I think it goes to show that sometimes the portrayal of images, and good work that has happened in the past, sometimes comes to what we see today and that people aren't always what they seem," said Greg Williamson, Bakersfield police chief. to know what it feels like to be DAVID DIAZ : He was out in my field still in the evening helping me do my work. Would they flee bargain the same way with non-police criminals? Damacio Diaz (R) and guest attend the Bakersfield Special Screening of "McFarland, USA" in Bakersfield, CA on Feb. 15th, 2015. But U.S. Atty. Despite the possible life sentence, a federal judge ruled Diaz can be released. They went back to the original first year that we won state. DANNY DIAZ : We didnt train. Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz. But Mr. White was our second father. Their mom and dad worked hard and pushed the boys even harder to succeed and do well. [LAUGHS]. Not the right Damacio Diaz? Colin Kaepernick's new three-part true crime docuseries, which premieres on Hulu Friday, Feb. 3, tells the story of alleged corruption and cover-up that happened at a police department in a . They talk about being inspired to strive for something beyond picking in the fields. We didnt have that close to us. 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. When the informant left, the narcotics detective found just under $1,000 in the passenger-side door pocket. Thanks! "I was standing there. 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 . Disgraced cop's 5-year sentence a fraction of prosection's recommendation, Corrupt cops compel Kern DA to inform defense attorneys about 'tainted' cases. 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. 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 . That day I was fifth runner and I felt so much pressure, but you know, lucky we were able to pull it off. See more stories in. DAMACIO DIAZ : He was our seventh man actually. Danny Diaz, daughter Delia Diaz, Gabriel Yes. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Were all a year apart. The drugs were seized by Bakersfield police officers Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara before being given to Noel Carter, 45, so he could sell them, according to federal prosecutors. 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. 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. This hearing is not about telling someone they are no good, ONeill said. And so, I cant keep up with my kids in high school [CHUCKLES], but I go with my little seven-year-old. We started picking and hoeing and raking and doing everything you could possibly think of. However, similar to the film, Jim White had never been a runner himself and used the bike to follow the team during their workouts. We shouldve had first. I cannot thank all of the people involved enough for bringing this story to us. I never had pressure. To make up for the time they couldn't work in the fields due to cross country practice, Jim White would sometimes give his time to them by helping them pick in the fields. Sunny to partly cloudy. Silvia was 16 and Herlinda was 14. The Department of Justice said Diaz and Mara would deliberately fail to submit seized drugs as evidence and instead would give them to Carter, who would sell them for profit. DANNY DIAZ : east from McFarland, Mr. White here would take us to the hills. Richard Winton is an investigative crime writer for the Los Angeles Times and part of the team that won the Pulitzer Prize for public service in 2011. 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. The. Oh, its more than an indiscretion, he said. 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. Let us send you our favorite posts and ideas once a week. 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. People Search 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. Damacio is related to Elizabeth Z Diaz and Delia G Garza as well as 3 additional people. Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? Acting U.S. Atty. He retired in 2003 after 23 years of coaching boys cross country. He went back and got it. A South Valley legend so popular he became the subject of a Disney movie has taken a hard fall. Mr. White was there as a person that we can rely on. How often do you guys still train together with the new students? . And so, we were just happy that Disney stuck with that first year and were lucky to be in the movie. experience coaching the team. She is preceded in death by her husband Damacio Diaz. 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. He will then be subject to three years of supervised release. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. And when it was suggested Diaz could help rebuild the communitys trust in the police department if only he were allowed the freedom to do so, the judge pounced again, saying he didnt believe that trust damaged so severely by a person given such extraordinary powers could be fully restored. Coach Jim White Interview & the Diaz Family Looks Back, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. They couldve chosen any other team, because we have nine state titles. Learn more about the McFarland, USA true story by watching the Jim White interview below. Talbert said that we concluded no officers were complicit in joining Diaz and Mara, and that no further prosecutions were planned at this time. It taught you discipline. it all made sense. Mr. Diaz, their dad Paul, he pushed education real hard, too. Carter would then could sell those narcotics for profit. A previous version of this article said the district attorneys office reviewed 108 cases involving the detectives. But if it werent for sports our kids would be lost, because its either education and sports or the streets. But I still do that and I coach. 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. 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. The three Diaz brothers featured in the new Disney movie, David, Damacio and Danny, all speak highly of both of their parents. But federal agents arrested him at work today. Diaz initially became well-known after the release of 2015 Disney movie, McFarland USA, starring Kevin Costner.. And, uh, low and behold, Mr. White, during Thanksgiving break, uh, when we have no school, he had an emergency. As well as accepting illegal bribes, Diaz engaged in drug trafficking while with the BPD. 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. Go see it with your family! More than 100 convictions were overturned as a result. Now we are a runner running through the field, a figure silhouette of a runner. The most police executions. DAMACIO DIAZ : Yeah, we just run, Danny and I, just to stay in shape. He is portrayed by Kevin Costner. 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. [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. 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. Information from: The Bakersfield Californian, http://www.bakersfield.com. The sentence received Monday was more lenient than prosecutors had urged for Damacio Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the Bakersfield Police Department. Delaney was the prosecutor in the case. -KGET 17, Yes. His attorney says he should be home for the holidays and then back in court in Fresno in January. When one of Diazs attorneys used the word indiscretion to describe Diazs misdeeds, ONeill interrupted. That decision also rocked the Kern County criminal justice system, marking the beginning of an ugly police corruption scandal involving cash, drugs and protection. Damacio Diaz was sitting in his car alongside informant Guillermo "Memo" Magallanes. 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] All opinions expressed are my own. 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. Youre driving on 99, the freeway, and you blink and youll miss it. 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? So, for us it was normal. Damacio Diaz pleaded guilty to bribery, drugtrafficking and tax evasion. The Bakersfield Californian says (http://bit.ly/2dGESLb) the U.S. Attorneys Office recommended between 17 and 22 years. Did you ever do that again? 1998 July - Damacio Diaz hired by the Bakersfield Police Department. Jim White restarted the program in 1980 after it had been dropped for a year. That was the only thing really that they had thats available to show that type of work [for the movie]. 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[CHUCKLES] When we were growing up, maybe seven, eight, nine, ten thousand people is the population. 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. This was an all expense paid trip provided by Disney. Both are about to begin five-year federal prison sentences for their crimes. But the guys over here were in decent shape still. -KGET 17. He would beat us up all the time. These men were the real life inspirations for McFarland USA. DAMACIO DIAZ : Mr. White might have more than us. DANNY DIAZ : You know, growing up in McFarland we didnt have much. of 1 Diaz did a lot of good things, Delaney said. 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. That is why it was so amazing and cool that I got to interview Jim White, David Diaz, Damacio Diaz, and Danny Diaz. So , DANNY DIAZ : Mr. White never went back to Stockton never again. On that day, Leopoldo became a man. [Asking Danny referring to the last race of the first year]. And sports is what kind of helped us get out of that. Join Facebook to connect with Damacio Diaz and others you may know. 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.