and last updated 2016-10-03 21:34:05-04. Thats because it comprises not only archival footage but also first-hand accounts of individuals closest to the matter to truly uncover this Californian citys merciless, violence-driven justice system. This included members of the Bakersfield High Drillers. Coach White concurred and said their mom even asked why they didn't make her strict enough. Their city logo and motto have both been refreshed to express the new outlook of their community. 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 . Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Do you feel like the movie does a good job of describing that culture (of family and pickers)? 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.. Atty. The sentence received Monday was more lenient than prosecutors had urged for Damacio Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the Bakersfield Police Department. He will then be subject to three years of supervised release. DAMACIO DIAZ : They said youre fat. I didnt enjoy it very much. Its a poor community. Newsweek has everything you need to know about what happened to Bakersfield cop Damacio Diaz and why. -KGET 17. In a remarkable statement made before reporters Friday, Kern County District Attorney Lisa Green said her office will mail out 64 letters to d, Positive Cases Among Kern Residents: 310,095, Recovered and Presumed Recovered Residents: 305,002, Percentage of all cases that are unvaccinated:71, Percentage of all hospitalizations that are unvaccinated:83.13, Source: Kern County Public Health Services Department. The community of McFarlandis important to them. 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. DANNY DIAZ : Running in the race, Mr. White and the rest of the guys were telling me Joses out of it. Their actions risked their fellow officers safety for greed.. DAMACIO DIAZ, by and through his counsel, DAVID A. TORRES, hereby submits Damacio Diaz' Statement in Mitigation for the court's consideration. You pick up any type of bug or any type of leaf, he knows what it is. And so, I cant keep up with my kids in high school [CHUCKLES], but I go with my little seven-year-old. And then Disney resigned us and got a better script writer. "I can't say I was going to jump, but I was thinking about my life and why some people would jump. Damacio Diaz is one of the subjects of new Hulu documentary Killing County. Plus, David still runs competitively and coaches. View the profiles of people named Damacio Diaz. He also committed serious, reprehensible crimes. school and decides to put together a cross Eliu Garza, also a McFarland High runner, is . Then the following season, we were ranked number one for the entire season. "People discovered who I was, what my background was, and I was assaulted by numerous inmates," Diaz told 17 News. 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. 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. Mr. White had a lot more influence [on the script]. Where are Damacio and Patrick now? He was a fifth grade teacher and before he was a P.E. It was indeed the first time that many of the kids ever saw the ocean. DANNY DIAZ : Absolutely. McFarland, USA comes to theaters on Friday, February 20th. The DOJ said Diaz and Mara deliberately failed to submit seized drugs as evidence and instead provided the stolen narcotics to Carter. Some, like David Diaz, became teachers themselves. For my son, it pushed him to go to college and do well while he was in high school. 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. - An ex-detective who was on the championship 1987 track team depicted in the movie "McFarland USA" has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to bribery and drug charges. They were cross country state champs in 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Bakersfield. Here's what we know. Mara, a 13-year veteran, had 55 cases involving 70 defendants. I wanna know is your mom really that way, because she was a scene stealer? Jim White is to Thomas' right and Gary Adams is to White's right. 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. Juanita Diaz. 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. However, he had been a teacher in the McFarland School District since 1964, following his graduation from Pepperdine University. "He told me to take my wife out on a date or buy my kids something," Diaz would later. DAMACIO DIAZ : Our kids all compete. See more stories in. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The charges against Damacio Diaz have people in his hometown in disbelief. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. 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. The ramifications of the corruption scandal could be large. However, it happened a little differently than in the movie. Yes. Twitter. Their parents are also highly regarded by each of them and they obviously have a deep love for the family unit. They appeared happy to be with us, and they enjoyed sharing their behind the scenes stories about the . We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Although, David did add that his mom is actually much more strict than she is made to bein the movie. I feel like if hes gone, I wont have anyone, said Diazs daughter Caroline, a student at Bakersfield College who had originally planned to attend UCLA. The relationship between the brothers and Coach White is endearing. 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. picking in the fields. 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. With Kevin Costner, Ramiro Rodriguez, Carlos Pratts, Johnny Ortiz. My mom has 12. Not exactly. 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 : And if I can add to that. "It was damaging. Then they can do whatever they want. DANNY DIAZ : We, we love basketball. With nothing to do in their small town, kidshave two choices: education and sports or the streets. Both had their sentences reduced. [LAUGHS]. We have changed our city logo. During the investigation, five other officers were placed on administrative leave related to the investigation and one recently resigned. Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick is an executive producer on new Hulu documentary "Killing County," which explores the story of Damacio Diaz. Damacio Diaz - CA Cross Country results and photos on Athletic.net potential at the predominantly Latino high She is preceded in death by her husband Damacio Diaz. Coach White called Thomas over. Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now. DANNY DIAZ : Yeah, if you drive600 miles out . I am excited to share with you another great interview from my McFarland, USA press trip. 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 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. Diaz and his brother Danny were on the championship team; a third brother, David, had graduated by then but was included in the movie version. This was an all expense paid trip provided by Disney. I didn't want to go home," says Thomas. The most police executions. February 27, 2023 new bill passed in nj for inmates 2022 No Comments . He offers the kids a chance White and many other family members and friends were in court to support Diaz. These I was able have aninterview with Jim White and the Diaz brothers (David Diaz, Damacio Diaz and Danny Diaz) who are the real life inspirations behind the McFarland, USA film. People Search And, wow, those hills are its not rolling hills. That is why it was so amazing and cool that I got to interview Jim White, David Diaz, Damacio Diaz, and Danny Diaz. McFarland High School is actually just down the road from the Central Valley Correctional Facility, not across the street. Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such conduct.". And we were part of the Royal Rangers andwe did that on Tuesday nights at our local church. The Feds arrested him at the. 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. Thank you for reading! Diaz, a former Bakersfield police detective, is interviewed on camera in Killing County. Yet his desire to always be at the front and center of action soon reached such an extent that he started blurring the line between right and wrong, resulting in his arrest in November 2015. Thats a long time in jail for someone who once wore a badge.. Defense attorneys compared the Bakersfield situation to the Los Angeles Police Departments Rampart scandal in the late 1990s, in which corrupt officers tainted cases. So , DANNY DIAZ : Mr. White never went back to Stockton never again. The Feds arrested him at the department Friday morning and removed evidence. -Congressional Record, V. 146, Pt. Many of the citizens of McFarland were extras in the movie. Uh, it was 1988 and I was a senior at that time and my brother, Damacio, was a junior. experience coaching the team. Additionally, Coach White would be there for counseling and fulfilling needs beyond what their parents could afford. Starring Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts, Hector Duran, Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, No. [LAUGHS] We didnt do cabbage. 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[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. Damacio Diaz was a subject of the movie McFarland USA and became a Bakersfield police officer. Damacio Diaz, 43, was arrested on November 20, 2015 and 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. Damacio Diaz was released Friday from a halfway house in. Along with fellow BPD Detective Patrick Mara, 40, the two were sentenced to five years in federal prison. (I am in the red in the back betweenDamacio and Danny). Everyone there is excited about the movie and thenotoriety they have been receiving from it. Diaz was released from prison in May 2020. gun violence, officer-involved homicides and other crime, Colin Kaepernick is an executive producer, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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 . My dad gives me a sense of security, she told the court. Its grown a little bit in the last two, three years but not much has changed. Kevin Costner and others picking in the fields in McFarland, USA. His life story had been portrayed in the Disney movie "McFarland, USA". We run once in a whileamongst, DAVID DIAZ : ourselves. He says that White retired in 2002 afterteaching in McFarland schools for 40 years and coaching for 25 years. ", Colin Kaepernick pictured at the NBA game between the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics at Scotiabank Arena on December 5, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. And sports is what kind of helped us get out of that. 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. His performance at the 1987 state meet did help McFarland lock up the title. Gabriel Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego Diaz, and father and mother Paul and Juanita Diaz. 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. He is amazing. Jim White and the Diaz Brothers with our Group for McFarland, USA. A true crime thriller we made set in Kevin McCarthys district. I even performed the wedding service for Damacio Diaz . Damacio Diaz, 44, was sentenced Monday for bribery, possession and attempted possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and making and subscribing a false income tax return,. And he told me I want them to get their education, so I will go back and get my education. All seven Diaz children went to college and all seven returned to McFarland where they live today. The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. Central Valley. Although, David did add that his mom is actually much more strict than she is made to be in the movie. BAKERSFIELD, Calif., (KBAK/KBFX) Damacio Diaz, a former Detective for the Bakersfield Police Department, has been released from federal custody. On one occasion, Mrs. Diaz made 200 dozen tamales to send the team to Asia. JIM WHITE : Let me add a little bit of that. 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. My dad has 13 brothers and sisters. According to the California Department of Justice, Diaz and Mara conspired with another man, Noel Carter, 46. 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. We are no longer theHeartbeat of Agriculture. That decision also rocked the Kern County criminal justice system, marking the beginning of an ugly police corruption scandal involving cash, drugs and protection. In 2018, another man, Noel Carter, from Bakersfield, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Diaz and Mara to distribute drugs, according to federal prosecutors. After his father left, Leopoldo and his mother decided to pack .