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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. 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. Colin Kaepernick releases trailer for new true crime docuseries Yes. Still, Williamson said, the corrupt detectives had eroded trust with the community. Under the circumstances, theres absolutely no issue of dual justice here, he said. [LAUGHS]. My dad gives me a sense of security, she told the court. We have also done internal investigations on many allegations that were made and once again they have been unable to uncover anything. Join Facebook to connect with Damacio Diaz and others you may know. . under Coach Jim White at McFarland High 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. Noel Carter, 45, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today for conspiring with Bakersfield police officers Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana that Diaz and Mara seized in the course of their duties as police officers, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Twitter. His attorney says he should be home for the holidays and then back in court in Fresno in January. That is definitely true. Their parents are also highly regarded by each of them and they obviously have a deep love for the family unit. Bakersfield Police Narcotics Detective Charged With Bribery, Drug Girl, 13, Went Missing Last Week, and Suspect Is Arrested on . 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. Juanita Diaz. Damacio Diaz features in new Hulu documentary "Killing County. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges he. They became the drug traffickers themselves, he said. The 16-count indictment against the 17-year police veteran includes bribery and trafficking methamphetamine. My mom has 12. children ran for Jim White and all seven 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. Disgraced detective whose story was told in 'McFarland USA' gets prison 1999 - 2000 "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. [CHUCKLES] When we were growing up, maybe seven, eight, nine, ten thousand people is the population. The ramifications of the corruption scandal could be large. 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. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. People Search Kevin Costner (Coach Jim White) and Diana Maria Riva (Seora Diaz) in McFarland, USA. 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? 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. 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. DAVID DIAZ : And just to let you know, um, Gods good and we own almonds now. If you havent seen a trailer yet, here you go, Follow McFARLAND, USA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcfarlandusa, Follow Disney Pictures on Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneypictures. Diaz initially became well-known after the release of 2015 Disney movie, McFarland USA, starring Kevin Costner. -John Harte, Yes, and at times the White family paid for new shoes and clothing for the team out of their own pockets. He also committed serious, reprehensible crimes. White retired in 2002 afterteaching in McFarland schools for 40 years and coaching for 25 years. 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. Federal prosecutors in court sentencing documents said Mara had two patrol officers stop a vehicle the detectives knew was carrying 5 pounds of methamphetamine. When I found out that it was Christian driven (truth !) 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. of 1 12, The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. After the interview we were able to get a picture with them. Soon Diaz and Mara were getting into other illegal activities, authorities said. But, no, they made me chubby or overweight [CHUCKLES] and hecka hella slow [LAUGHS] when you watch the movie. Defendant reserves the . The Bakersfield Californian says (http://bit.ly/2dGESLb) the U.S. Attorneys Office recommended between 17 and 22 years. Although, David did add that his mom is actually much more strict than she is made to bein the movie. Probe Into Corrupt Cops in Kern County Deepens | KQED Forty-four of his cases will result in letters. Some, like David Diaz, became teachers themselves. About $15,000 stuck out of Magallanes shorts. 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. Now we are a runner running through the field, a figure silhouette of a runner. to know what it feels like to be He did a lot of things for us that our dad couldnt, becauseit financially just wasnt available. it's not all true but he's okay with that. After his father left, Leopoldo and his mother decided to pack . 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. McFarland, USA (2015) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by Niki Caro Writing Credits Cast (in credits order) verified as complete Produced by Music by Antonio Pinto Cinematography by Adam Arkapaw . 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. His performance at the 1987 state meet did help McFarland lock up the title. Delaney was the prosecutor in the case. Diaz pleaded guilty to stealing. Diaz, who has been allowed to remain free throughout the process, cooperated fully with investigators, according to the prosecution. Those suckers are, are steep. 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. I even performed the wedding service for Damacio Diaz . The corruption scandal broke in November 2015 when federal agents arrested Bakersfield Police Detective Damacio Diaz for helping traffic methamphetamines. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Paul Fischer, 73, called the Inyo County . DANNY DIAZ : Running in the race, Mr. White and the rest of the guys were telling me Joses out of it. Included in the segment, titled 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] 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. DANNY DIAZ : Uh, well, that was the last race for that year. So, at that point I was running the sixth man and so I became fifth man and I was, for the first time in my life in the top five. challenged town in California's farm-rich We basically told our story, got interviewed for hours and hour and hours, and that was pretty much it. They investigated every name that came up, uncovered every rock, and no one elses name came to light in their scandal, the chief said. To you culture, um, is all about community and it takes a village to raise a child. It is a day I truly regret and a decision that has changed my entire life.. And, uh, low and behold, Mr. White, during Thanksgiving break, uh, when we have no school, he had an emergency. director of photography Film Editing by David Coulson Casting By Sheila Jaffe Production Design by Richard Hoover Those are the two extremes and those are the two options that are there for our community. As well as accepting illegal bribes, Diaz engaged in drug trafficking while with the BPD. 'Killing County' features former BPD officers 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. Updated: May 11, 2020 / 06:23 PM PDT BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Disgraced former Bakersfield police detective Damacio Diaz has been released from custody after serving a federal term for stealing drugs during the course of his police work and putting them back on the street. . Disgraced cop of 'McFarland USA' fame gets five years in prison Theres nothing to do in McFarland. And sports is what kind of helped us get out of that. 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. It gave you character. The legendary former McFarland Ray referred to Felicia Rosario as his "wife," though they were never married. DAVID DIAZ : He was a very inspirational part. Its grapes and its oranges and its almonds and its cotton and stuff in our area, but those werent available. Each one of the brothers are land owners in McFarland. A 1997 LA Times article described it as a rickety, worn bicycle, but did not state that it was a girl's bicycle like in the movie. Bakersfield Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Conspiring - KTLA [LAUGHS] Theymade me, uh . Additionally, Coach White would be there for counseling and fulfilling needs beyond what their parents could afford. They went back to the original first year that we won state. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Damacio Diaz, former BPD detective who stole drugs and put - KGET 17 . Damacio Diaz, photo courtesy of Mama Latina Tips. [LAUGHS] We didnt do cabbage. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Delaney speaks to the news media after former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Fresno to five years in federal prison. 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. Prosecutors are specifically reexamining cases from 2011 to 2014, when the partners were committing crimes. 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. Damacio Diaz was sitting in his car alongside informant Guillermo "Memo" Magallanes. So I'd have two practices." She is preceded in death by her husband Damacio Diaz. The Diaz brothers represent 3 of the 7 runners from the McFarland Cross Country team of 1987. (I am in the red in the back betweenDamacio and Danny). He went back and got it. 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. In the least, such scenes seem to have been exaggerated by the filmmakers. All Rights Reserved. DANNY DIAZ : You know, growing up in McFarland we didnt have much. Talbert said that we concluded no officers were complicit in joining Diaz and Mara, and that no further prosecutions were planned at this time. But the guys over here were in decent shape still. Mara was released from a halfway house in April after serving a little less than four years in federal prison. Damacio Diaz sentenced | KBAK Its a poor community. Ray was arrested in February 2020 and in April 2022, following a four-week trial, he was convicted on several counts. -LA Times. The Feds arrested him at the department Friday morning and removed evidence. It was really an honor. We started picking and hoeing and raking and doing everything you could possibly think of. Though it is very close, Jim White likely wouldn't have had a clear view of it from his classroom window, as a street of homes separates the school's athletic fields from the prison grounds. 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. But he encouraged us to play sports. We were raised in the field, it was our life. An elderly couple from Las Vegas were found dead earlier this month in Death Valley National Park, law enforcement officials said. Damacio Diaz was released Friday from a halfway house in. Jim White is the main character of the sports drama film McFarland, USA. Police Corruption Scandal in Bakersfield Could Jeopardize Other . was like to have a movie made about his So , DANNY DIAZ : Mr. White never went back to Stockton never again. 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. And Johnny was with him. 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. Their stories were told in a beautiful way and they are excited Disney picked their tale to tell. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Danny Diaz | You can't have my job, but I'll tell you a story 1998 July - Damacio Diaz hired by the Bakersfield Police Department. A look at the real "McFarland USA" kids and coach Jim White According to the California Department of Justice, Diaz and Mara conspired with another man, Noel Carter, 46. Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now. 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. And it didnt. . The three Diaz brothers featured in the new Disney movie, David, Damacio and Danny, all speak highly of both of their parents. Like in the movie, Thomas Valles went to an overpass above Highway 99 one night after his parents got into a horrible fight. We maybe started school but hardly any of us finished. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. A former Bakersfield Police detective, serving time in prison for his role in a drug ring, has been released. Did you ever do that again? We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. September 22, 2016, 12:07 PM. With nothing to do in their small town, kidshave two choices: education and sports or the streets. Honestly, as we sat and talked with the Diaz brothers 3things were very apparent. 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. When the informant left, the narcotics detective found just under $1,000 in the passenger-side door pocket. Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such conduct.". By Laura Donaldson On 2/3/23 at 8:00 AM EST McFarland High School is actually just down the road from the Central Valley Correctional Facility, not across the street. Former BPD detective Damacio Diaz released from prison