McFarland, USA vs. the True Story of Coach Jim White's 1987 Team 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. Damacio Diaz was a Bakersfield police detective who was sentenced to five years in prison in October 2016 for stealing drugs to put back onto the street. View Public Details & Court Records. Damacio Diaz sentenced | KBAK And, uh, low and behold, Mr. White, during Thanksgiving break, uh, when we have no school, he had an emergency. Since we have a newborn we weren't able to see the pre-screening in theaters but I hope to see it as soon as it comes out on DVD. 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. Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The community of McFarlandis important to them. But, yes, I did that. No. DAMACIO DIAZ : Us training together, maam? It was fat. Learn how your comment data is processed. This behavior became common, prosecutors said. Plus I love Kevin Costner! FEMALE : How McFarland had changed, um, now that the movies gone? Damacio Diaz, former BPD detective who stole drugs and put - YouTube 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. The best result we found for your search is Damacio Diaz age 50s in Bakersfield, CA. Those suckers are, are steep. They have also lived in Mc Farland, CA and Delano, CA. Eguenia was best described by many that "People discovered who I was, what my background was, and I was assaulted by numerous inmates," Diaz told 17 News. McFarland, USA comes to theaters on Friday, February 20th. However, he had been a teacher in the McFarland School District since 1964, following his graduation from Pepperdine University. My mom has 12. Thomas Valles | You can't have my job, but I'll tell you a story Damacio Diaz, former BPD detective who stole drugs and put - KGET 17 Our father never could ever go watch us race. They were cross country state champs in 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. 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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. A true crime thriller we made set in Kevin McCarthys district. 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). On one occasion, Mrs. Diaz made 200 dozen tamales to send the team to Asia. Known as @lacrimes on Twitter, during almost 30 years at The Times he also has been part of the breaking news staff that won Pulitzers in 1998, 2004 and 2016. She argued that her husband has learned from his mistakes and should not face any prison time at all. Jim White and the Diaz Brothers with our Group for McFarland, USA. Leopoldo's father abandoned his wife and children. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. So for us, it was a way of life. On that day, Leopoldo became a man. Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now. 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 . Diazs attorney, David Torres, was clearly relieved by the judges decision. They are amazing guys who still have that humble hardworking attitude! You can read our Kevin Costner Interview about his role as Jim White in the McFarland, USA movie. Former Bakersfield Police Department Detective Sentenced to 5 Years in The detective tipped him off about a Drug Enforcement Administration wiretap that captured him chatting, advising him to lay low, according to documents. So the only way I could get some of them into some of the fields that I had to do the work with them. [LAUGHS]. 12, The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. "I was standing there. Police Corruption Scandal in Bakersfield Could Jeopardize Other When the informant left, the narcotics detective found just under $1,000 in the passenger-side door pocket. A previous version of this article said the district attorneys office reviewed 108 cases involving the detectives. Mr. White had a lot more influence [on the script]. Im a runner. Damacio Diaz was sitting in his car alongside informant Guillermo Memo Magallanes. They talk about being inspired to strive for something beyond picking in the fields. White retired in 2002 afterteaching in McFarland schools for 40 years and coaching for 25 years. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Disgraced cop of 'McFarland USA' fame gets five years in prison But this is gonna be a family movie, so it is okay. The Diaz brothers represent 3 of the 7 runners from the McFarland Cross Country team of 1987. DANNY DIAZ : Running in the race, Mr. White and the rest of the guys were telling me Joses out of it. Where is Damacio Diaz Now? 'Killing County' on Hulu Explores His Story The community of McFarland still works as a village to raise their youth. Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. When I found out that it was Christian driven (truth !) -KGET 17, Yes. DANNY DIAZ : Uh, well, that was the last race for that year. Copyright 2023 Lovebugs and Postcards | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. But, no, they made me chubby or overweight [CHUCKLES] and hecka hella slow [LAUGHS] when you watch the movie. Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego She was amazing in the movie. 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. Former detective depicted in 'McFarland, USA' is sentenced to five 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. True Crime news & latest pictures from Newsweek.com 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. -LCU.edu, Yes. 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. FRESNO, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) Former Bakersfield police detective Damacio Diaz was sentenced Monday in federal court to five years in prison. In fact, a blink of an eye as you drive down Highway 99 in California and you will miss it. Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz. David Diaz is behind Victor wearing a white t-shirt and McFarland hat. Damacio Diaz, portrayed in McFarland USA movie, Bakersfield PD officer 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. It was really an honor. This hearing is not about telling someone they are no good, ONeill said. We run three, four, five miles a day just to stay in shape. 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. 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. The ramifications of the corruption scandal could be large. He would beat us up all the time. Still, it was rarely the entire quantity as he, his partner Patrick Mara, as well as an associate, reportedly had this combined side hustle. September 22, 2016, 12:07 PM. Damacio Diaz pleaded guilty to bribery, drugtrafficking and tax evasion. Former Bakersfield Police Department Detective Pleads Guilty to Bribery It was indeed the first time that many of the kids ever saw the ocean. We run once in a whileamongst, DAVID DIAZ : ourselves. teacher. 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. Then they can do whatever they want. So, it was a big deal for us. There is no shame in admitting that this case has kept me awake at night, and few do, ONeill said to the packed courtroom. View the profiles of people named Damacio Diaz. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges he. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Delaney shakes hands with former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz in this file photo from Diaz's Oct. 3 sentencing. Their mom and dad worked hard and pushed the boys even harder to succeed and do well. Soon Diaz and Mara were getting into other illegal activities, authorities said. 1999 - 2000 The love they genuinely have for him was heartfelt and true. We have changed our city logo. Davids the oldest and he was a bully. Jim White is to Thomas' right and Gary Adams is to White's right. However, it was later revealed that BPD Detectives Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara were involved in making Ramirez an informant. Damacio Diaz: Where is the Former Detective Now? Two years later, we signed with another one, not quite that often, but it took a long process. DAVID DIAZ : Uh, we donttrain. This was an all expense paid trip provided by Disney. No foul language or nudity - just fresh air. . He told me to take my wife out on a date or buy my kids something, Diaz would later recall in court papers. BAKERSFIELD, Calif., (KBAK/KBFX) Damacio Diaz, a former Detective for the Bakersfield Police Department, has been released from federal custody. DAMACIO DIAZ : And if I can add to that. Each one of the brothers are land owners in McFarland. May God BLESS you all richly. [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. Coach Jim White Interview & the Diaz Family Looks Back, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. "Sometimes I helped them work in the fields," says the real Coach Jim White, "but more importantly, I had practice at a different time. Real-Life Diaz Brothers Discuss Growing Up in McFarland, USA The U.S. Attorneys Office had recommended a sentence of between roughly 17 and 22 years, but the judge had discretion. "I can't say I was going to jump, but I was thinking about my life and why some people would jump. Danny and Damacio run 3 to 5 miles a day to simply stay in shape. DAVID DIAZ : Not at all. McFarland, USA (2015) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb I've watched "McFarland" probably more than 200 times. PDF IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT of - KERO And believe it or not, before he was a coach, hes a scientist. I even performed the wedding service for Damacio Diaz . They are portrayed to be 15 and 10, a few years younger than they actually were at the time of the first state title in 1987 (the girls were in college at the time). Magallanes then told another drug dealer to dump his phone. He was a fifth grade teacher and before he was a P.E. Welcome to Killing County. McFarland Residents Shocked by Arrest of Bakersfield Cop Portrayed in 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. [CHUCKLES] When we were growing up, maybe seven, eight, nine, ten thousand people is the population. victor puentes mcfarland Youre driving on 99, the freeway, and you blink and youll miss it. And thatsthe one we have now. Damacio Diaz features in new Hulu documentary "Killing County. A look at the real "McFarland USA" kids and coach Jim White My parents definitely pushed us to go that route and not thewide road most people go to is other than college. 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. They came from a large family where faith,educationand hard work were important. Did that change how you ran in future races? Inspired by the irony of his last name, "Blanco" was one of the nicknames that the kids and their families gave Jim White. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The charges against Damacio Diaz have people in his hometown in disbelief. The hearing included impassioned appeals by Diazs brother, wife and daughter, with the two latter witnesses in tears through much of their statements. 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. 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. An interview with Jim White, David Diaz, Damacio Diaz and Danny Diaz Where Is Damacio Diaz Now? 'Killing County' Catches up With Him Both are about to begin five-year federal prison sentences for their crimes. [CHUCKLES] And about two years ago, Mr. White, you help me pull? She is preceded in death by her husband Damacio Diaz. experience coaching the team. They all spend some time running with the cross country team, as well as with their own kids. Defense attorneys compared the Bakersfield situation to the Los Angeles Police Departments Rampart scandal in the late 1990s, in which corrupt officers tainted cases. Also, take a closer look at the Diaz family, who had seven children run for McFarland. DAMACIO DIAZ : Our kids all compete. Julie and Jami are depicted in the McFarland, USA movie. cross country coach talks about what it They were very respectful and well-mannered towards him, treating him with much respect as we talked.