1999 - 2000 It was fat. According to Torres, the federal system will keep Diaz behind bars for more than four years before he becomes eligible for release. on their time as cross country runners So, my dad worked ten, twelve, thirteen, fourteen hours a day sometimes and both of them [his parents] come from large families. I feel safe knowing he is in my corner.. So, for us it was normal. it was in various stages, because this was about a 15-year process for us, my wife and I . 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. Diaz did a lot of good things, Delaney said. Former Bakersfield police detective Damacio Diaz was sentenced Monday in federal court to five years in prison.He pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. A former Bakersfield Police detective, serving time in prison for his role in a drug ring, has been released. Disgraced cop's 5-year sentence a fraction of prosection's recommendation, Corrupt cops compel Kern DA to inform defense attorneys about 'tainted' cases. If it were ethical, I would pay to have you go to UCLA, he said, noting that it clearly was not. JIM WHITE : Let me add a little bit of that. They are amazing guys who still have that humble hardworking attitude! The trio honestly had an unwavering determination in their efforts despite being mere teenagers at the time, and thats what eventually inspired the 2015 Disney sports drama film McFarland, USA. However, the former chose to pursue General Education as a field of study instead of focusing on his athleticism upon graduation because he apparently hoped to establish his career as a teacher. [CHUCKLES] And, and we didnt train and we got fifth that year. He must report to federal authorities before 2 p.m. Dec. 5 to begin serving his sentence. Danny Diaz was not overweight, but he was the seventh runner on the team. But his chief is ready to turn his back. Patrick Mara, center, speaks while flanked by attorney Fred Gagliardini. 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. PE teacher in McFarland, an economically Mr. White had a lot more influence [on the script]. [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. 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." He offers the kids a chance Disneys McFarland, USA, is helping to put the Diazs hometown on the map across the globe. Then they can do whatever they want. Plus, David still runs competitively and coaches. Their stories were told in a beautiful way and they are excited Disney picked their tale to tell. 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. More than 100 convictions were overturned as a result. Their city logo and motto have both been refreshed to express the new outlook of their community. They also plan to seize about $50,000 in cash and a home in an exclusive McFarland neighborhood. We love our dad. Copyright 2023 Lovebugs and Postcards | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. Diaz would quickly implicate Mara and then suggest others were making money too. Then to keep him on the narrow road or that straight road is tough. DANNY DIAZ : You know, growing up in McFarland we didnt have much. DAVID DIAZ : So, just to go back and let you know how my mother was depicted in previous scripts [LAUGHS] was probably a more accurate [CHUCKLES] version. The three Diaz brothers featured in the new Disney movie, David, Damacio and Danny, all speak highly of both of their parents. We have changed our city logo. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! 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.. Although, David did add that his mom is actually much more strict than she is made to be in the movie. Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? The hearing included impassioned appeals by Diazs brother, wife and daughter, with the two latter witnesses in tears through much of their statements. 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. He did submit every kind of narcotics to evidence following each bust. -KGET 17, Yes. Diaz was a member of the team that won the state championship. No. Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick is an executive producer on new Hulu documentary "Killing County," which explores the story of Damacio Diaz. Primary filming took place in McFarland, California in 2013. We were very happy that that was going to take place. The. [CHUCKLES] And about two years ago, Mr. White, you help me pull? "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. Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. Um, Im running my first half marathon soon, and, um, I just wanna know are those hills what you really trained on? This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. View Public Details & Court Records. DAMACIO DIAZ : For us, I believe sports, in general, we were already tough kids and we were used to working hard and theyre seven of us in our family. DAVID DIAZ : So, it helps you running wise and mentally wise, as well, because you have to endure that steepness, if you will. Back then, McFarland was largely white demographically. 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. You have permission to edit this article. But even prosecutor Brian Delaney of the U.S. Attorneys Office seemed satisfied with Diazs ultimate sentence, a dozen years fewer than the minimum he had recommended. Yeah, yeah, yeah. According to the National Park Service, citing law enforcement officials, the husband and wife were discovered on Jan. 13. Members of McFarland's Diaz family reflect So hes a very knowledgeable guy. He was a fifth grade teacher and before he was a P.E. No. She argued that her husband has learned from his mistakes and should not face any prison time at all. Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? So Im always looking out for their kids. 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. We were raised in the field, it was our life. In 2016 Diaz was sentenced for crimes including federal. We run once in a whileamongst, DAVID DIAZ : ourselves. They talk about being View Others. He will then be subject to three years of supervised release. How often do you guys still train together with the new students? Local photojournalist John Harte, who followed the team at the time, says that he witnessed opposing teams offer genuine handshakes of good luck. 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No foul language or nudity - just fresh air. Theres nothing to do in McFarland. [LAUGHS]. Atty. 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. 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. A lot of us competed in college. Yes. This is going to be a huge hit, I live about two hours from the area it's based on and I'm really looking forward to seeing it. I used to take Damacio and some of hispeers. Chance of rain 40%. In Boise, Idaho, 1987, Jim White and his title of coach is signifying his status as a . Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. The community of McFarlandis important to them. The community of McFarland still works as a village to raise their youth. of 1 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. Some, like David Diaz, became teachers themselves. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Jim White is to Thomas' right and Gary Adams is to White's right. Did Coach White encourage you to use any of his style when youre teaching or coaching? 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. So , DANNY DIAZ : Mr. White never went back to Stockton never again. As, as hes retired. And we were running number one all year long. DAMACIO DIAZ : Yeah, we just run, Danny and I, just to stay in shape. 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. -LA Times. Although, David did add that his mom is actually much more strict than she is made to bein the movie. [LAUGHS]. They were cross country state champs in 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001. But this is gonna be a family movie, so it is okay. We didnt have that close to us. 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. So, thatwas good. -Congressional Record, V. 146, Pt. -KGET 17. Coach White called Thomas over. Damacio Diaz, right, shakes hands with Tomas Valles as the team readies for the start of the Southern section championships in the 1987 season. No, the real Coach Jim White actually started coaching cross country at McFarland High School in 1980. 17 Damacio Diaz Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 17 Damacio Diaz Premium High Res Photos Browse 17 damacio diaz stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. PUBLISHED: October 4, 2016 at 7:44 a.m. | UPDATED: October 4, 2016 at 7:53 a.m. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) An ex-detective who was on the championship 1987 track team depicted in the movie . We started picking and hoeing and raking and doing everything you could possibly think of. Silvia was 16 and Herlinda was 14. We signed with this one company. With Kevin Costner, Ramiro Rodriguez, Carlos Pratts, Johnny Ortiz. 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.". They appeared happy to be with us, and they enjoyed sharing their behind the scenes stories about the . Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such conduct.". Diaz will be sentenced for three federal counts on October 3rd. They investigated every name that came up, uncovered every rock, and no one elses name came to light in their scandal, the chief said. We basically told our story, got interviewed for hours and hour and hours, and that was pretty much it. 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. -LA Times. 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 . Hes a pretty good coach, too. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. 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. Jim White, David Diaz, Damacio Diaz and Danny Diaz for McFarland, USA. What Happened to Damacio Diaz? 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. Although, the brothers did say that the town hasnt really changed much, Coach White has noticed one big change. He advised her to first trust in God, as the Almighty, he said, is not subject to the weaknesses and failings of humankind. You pick up any type of bug or any type of leaf, he knows what it is. The assistant U.S. attorney used the word paradox to describe Diaz, one of seven siblings raised in the northern Kern County farming community of McFarland in a religious family, and one that seemed the epitome of the American dream. Damacio Diaz, 44, of McFarland, formerly a detective with the Bakersfield Police Department, was sentenced today to five years in prison for bribery . Right now our community is excited obviously with the movie and rightfully so. JIM WHITE : Thomas. DAMACIO DIAZ : They said youre fat. 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. The detective tipped him off about a Drug Enforcement Administration wiretap that captured him chatting, advising him to lay low, according to documents. 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? All seven Diaz children went to college and all seven returned to McFarland where they live today. Do you feel like the movie does a good job of describing that culture (of family and pickers)? This one looks awesome, can't wait to see it. And, uh, low and behold, Mr. White, during Thanksgiving break, uh, when we have no school, he had an emergency. We have also done internal investigations on many allegations that were made and once again they have been unable to uncover anything. And, wow, those hills are its not rolling hills. I was just running to, to displace other runners and add them more points. Bakersfield. I even performed the wedding service for Damacio Diaz . So for us, it was a way of life. Damacio stated that they were very proud of the way the movie portrayed their story their family. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The charges against Damacio Diaz have people in his hometown in disbelief. The movie is based on the true story of a 1987 cross . Four years ago on a sweltering afternoon, Bakersfield Police Det. went on to college. The most police executions. Diaz, and father and mother Paul and Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. Eguenia was best described by many that Overall though, they agreed that the picker lifestyle and Latino culture of the community was perfectly captured. 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 . When I found out that it was Christian driven (truth !) They all spend some time running with the cross country team, as well as with their own kids. Wife of California doctor who drove family off cliff in Tesla doesn't want him prosecuted . DAMACIO DIAZ : Us training together, maam? But Mr. White was our second father. To you culture, um, is all about community and it takes a village to raise a child. They went back to the original first year that we won state. Damacio is related to Elizabeth Z Diaz and Delia G Garza as well as 3 additional people. ONeill instructed Delaney to directly telephone the warden of the prison assigned to receive Diaz in order to help ensure the safety of the former cop who will soon find himself behind bars. This hearing is not about telling someone they are no good, ONeill said. That streak ended while the movie was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I status, a byproduct of their success. DAMACIO DIAZ, by and through his counsel, DAVID A. TORRES, hereby submits Damacio Diaz' Statement in Mitigation for the court's consideration. And it didnt. Gabriel Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego Diaz, and father and mother Paul and Juanita Diaz. Thats a long time in jail for someone who once wore a badge.. DANNY DIAZ : Running in the race, Mr. White and the rest of the guys were telling me Joses out of it. He is amazing. Damacio Diaz was released Friday from a halfway house in. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Included in the segment, titled They were sooo funny to chat with. 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. Some of these teams that came after us were way better than us, way better than me as far as the running. And believe it or not, before he was a coach, hes a scientist. 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. Raul was also a runner on the team when his sister was killed. Jim White is the main character of the sports drama film McFarland, USA. We shouldve had first. Fun fact: Rafael Martinez, who plays David Diaz in the movie, is one of my closest friends even to this day! 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. 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. You can read our Kevin Costner Interview about his role as Jim White in the McFarland, USA movie. His wife and family, including a brother who works at McFarland high school, all supported him in court Friday afternoon. According to the California Department of Justice, Diaz and Mara conspired with another man, Noel Carter, 46. DANNY DIAZ : We, we love basketball. I didnt enjoy it very much. Damacio Diaz was released Friday from a halfway house in Sacramento, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. "I was standing there. and preaching in the Church of Christ. And theres not much to do there. 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. Juanita Diaz. 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. Soon Diaz and Mara were getting into other illegal activities, authorities said. 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. But thats okay. It reviewed 87 cases. . 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. A true crime thriller we made set in Kevin McCarthys district. Diaz was not remanded into custody. Diaz was a local celebrity at the time. McFarland, USA comes to theaters on Friday, February 20th. Greens office reviewed 87 cases of the detectives involving 123 defendants before deciding to send the letters. And he told me I want them to get their education, so I will go back and get my education. Low 44F. We all feel grateful and the whole communitys just embracing it. So, Danny youre talking about they made you a little different. He literally would buy us shoes, feed us, counsel us, console us when we lost, that kinda stuff. 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. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. 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. So I'd have two practices." Damacio Diaz - CA Cross Country results and photos on Athletic.net The. If I could beat their third, fourth, fifth man, sixth man whatever, I would add more points to them. DANNY DIAZ : Yeah, if you drive600 miles out . The Diaz brothers represent 3 of the 7 runners from the McFarland Cross Country team of 1987.