We dont have actually any [CHUCKLES] malls. We were very happy that that was going to take place. So, it was a big deal for us. 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. and preaching in the Church of Christ. 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. He retired in 2003 after 23 years of coaching boys cross country. 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. Diaz initially became well-known after the release of 2015 Disney movie, McFarland USA, starring Kevin Costner.. 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 . Diaz was a member of the team that won the state championship. Speaking of running, we asked the Diaz brothers if they still run. Four years ago on a sweltering afternoon, Bakersfield Police Det. There is no shame in admitting that this case has kept me awake at night, and few do, ONeill said to the packed courtroom. Kevin Costner (Coach Jim White) and Diana Maria Riva (Seora Diaz) in McFarland, USA. All opinions expressed are my own. 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. Diaz was not remanded into custody. Its a poor community. No. But Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson said the federal and internal inquiries after 18 months cleared them all. Defendant reserves the . It reviewed 87 cases. Fun fact: Rafael Martinez, who plays David Diaz in the movie, is one of my closest friends even to this day! And so, we were just happy that Disney stuck with that first year and were lucky to be in the movie. 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. They became the drug traffickers themselves, he said. DAMACIO DIAZ : Go ahead and call it. DAMACIO DIAZ : Yeah, were very, very proud of the way the movie portrayed us, our family. School. teacher. Our third man, Jose, he just-. September 22, 2016, 12:07 PM. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Paul Fischer, 73, called the Inyo County . Damacio Diaz said he doesn't recognize the man he was three years ago when he was a detective working for Bakersfield police. 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. "McFarland's Family of Champions," are 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. Here's what we know. They all spend some time running with the cross country team, as well as with their own kids. And Johnny was with him. Copyright 2023 Lovebugs and Postcards | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. 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. Los Angeles, Downtown L.A stabbing sends six to hospital; 1 arrested, San Diego Roman Catholic diocese facing yet another lawsuit from its insurance company, K-Pop isnt the only hot ticket in Koreatown how trot is captivating immigrants, Los Angeles is suddenly awash in waterfalls, Officials unprepared for epic mountain blizzard, leaving many trapped and desperate. The best result we found for your search is Damacio Diaz age 50s in Bakersfield, CA. He was a fifth grade teacher and before he was a P.E. . That streak ended while the movie was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I status, a byproduct of their success. Inspired by the irony of his last name, "Blanco" was one of the nicknames that the kids and their families gave Jim White. That year, Mara filed for bankruptcy and said he was drinking heavily. Although, the brothers did say that the town hasnt really changed much, Coach White has noticed one big change. In May 2020, Diaz was released from a halfway house in Sacramento, where he was staying after serving his time. -John Harte, Yes, and at times the White family paid for new shoes and clothing for the team out of their own pockets. Former narcotics detective Damacio Diaz has accepted a plea deal in connection with federal charges that could send him to prison for life. Did that change how you ran in future races? And, uh, low and behold, Mr. White, during Thanksgiving break, uh, when we have no school, he had an emergency. They went back to the original first year that we won state. 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. The 16-count indictment against the 17-year police veteran includes bribery and trafficking methamphetamine. [LAUGHS]. I used to take Damacio and some of hispeers. And theres not much to do there. A drug and corruption scandal has rocked the Bakersfield Police Department. Likely not. Then they can do whatever they want. 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. 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. Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such conduct.". Vida en el Valle file Daniel Casarez. pic.twitter.com/qKxl7i5dfn. Each one of the brothers are land owners in McFarland. 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 . Information from: The Bakersfield Californian, http://www.bakersfield.com. That the judge would even mention such a possibility underscored the unusual nature of the hearing. The former narcotics officer is now known, however, for going to prison in 2016 for charges tied to drugs, bribery and tax fraud. Damacio stated that they were very proud of the way the movie portrayed their story their family. Ray referred to Felicia Rosario as his "wife," though they were never married. Matter of fact, he ordered us and he forced us and he made us play sports, because the way he saw it hes the first one, and so he learned it before us. Diaz pleaded guilty last spring as part of a plea agreement that became public in May. Carter would then could sell those narcotics for profit. Learn more about the McFarland, USA true story by watching the Jim White interview below. 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. My dad has 13 brothers and sisters. 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.". Phillip A. Talbert said the two detectives were specially selected for a joint drug task force in a region plagued by methamphetamine. It taught you discipline. She is preceded in death by her husband Damacio Diaz. Still, Williamson said, the corrupt detectives had eroded trust with the community. 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"I was standing there. It is a day I truly regret and a decision that has changed my entire life.. Sunny to partly cloudy. Date Ideas Marriage Affirmations Affirmations for Him Marriage Tips Real Life Marriage DIY Marriage Retreat, Baby Activities for Kids Affirmations for Kids Parenting Teens Communication is Key Spreading Their Wings, Curriculum Preschool Elementary Most Asked Questions Things You Didn't Know Tips for Success, First Grandchild Role of Grandparents Getting Started Big Shoes to Fill They Say Your Name Grandparent Adventures. But I still do that and I coach. 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. It depends on the circumstances. But federal agents arrested him at work today. But this is gonna be a family movie, so it is okay. 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. Diaz, a 17-year Bakersfield cop, worked on 32 cases involving 53 defendants, with 20 requiring letters, she said.