Workingwith him was one of the best experiences of mylife.. A former Bakersfield Police detective, serving time in prison for his role in a drug ring, has been released. Newsweek has everything you need to know about what happened to Bakersfield cop Damacio Diaz and why he is featured on Killing County. ''McFarland USA'' was released in 2015 and tells the story of coach Jim White, played by Kevin Costner, and the transformation of a rural running team. 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. Talbert announced. Brittny Mejia is a Metro reporter who joined the Los Angeles Times in 2014. Find where to watch movies online now! I am excited to share with you another great interview from my McFarland, USA press trip. A former Bakersfield Police Department detective and member of the famed McFarland High School cross-country team depicted in the Disney film McFarland, USA was sentenced this week to five years in prison. Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Diaz initially became well-known after the release of 2015 Disney movie, McFarland USA, starring Kevin Costner. At the time of the crimes, he was working with the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force and the Southern Tri-County Task Force of the Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. Because maybe, just maybe, the community of McFarland didn't just influence White to finally lay down his own family's roots there. Mara pleaded guilty to related charges in June and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 17. Have a question about Government Services? Its amazing. Yvonne Gaide was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in prison and ordered to pay $472,717 in restitution for wire fraud in relation to a scheme to divert Sacramento Main Office A week later, Diaz booked approximately one pound of methamphetamine from the vehicle stop into evidence. The only reason Im telling that story is because that person is the person that we spent 4 months with. She is inspired by her father's passion for running and works hard to be the best athlete she can be. Sacramento, CA. Diaz was released from prison in May 2020. gun violence, officer-involved homicides and other crime, Colin Kaepernick is an executive producer, SCOTUS Now Just Another Congressional Committee, Secret Chinese Police Stations in Europe Are 'Tip of the Iceberg', Trump's Attorney Just Blew Carroll Rape Case, King Charles Says Royals Require 'Acting Ability', Ukraine Will Regain 'Significant Territory' From Russia, Florida GOP Paves the Way to Help Ron DeSantis Challenge Trump. The student thus enrolled at California State University-Fresno while changing his major to Criminology as well as Military Science (1992-1996) before deciding to acquire training on the job. Seora Diaz: Omar Leyva . Diaz continued to operate the informant even though he was fully aware of the informants ongoing criminal activity. That's food off our table.". A bit more seasoned in their acting careers were the three remaining actors, Carlos Pratts (Thomas Valles),Hector Duran (Johnny Sameniego) and Johnny Ortiz (Jose Cardenas). Also new to acting wasRafaelMartinez (David Diaz). Damacio Diaz of McFarland cross country fame admits to police corruption and drug charges, faces federal prison. 32 lingering post-draft questions: Will Lions have regrets? ", (L-R) David Diaz, Danny Diaz and Damacio Diaz attend the premiere of Disney's "McFarland, USA" at the El Capitan Theatre on February 9, 2015 in Hollywood, California. His attorney says he should be home for the holidays and then back in court in Fresno in January. Similar to Diaz, Mara pled guilty to stealing narcotics such as methamphetamine and marijuana to give to Noel Carter for profit. Diaz was one of the real-life members of the team. Because, as their father told him in a line of dialogue that ended up in the movie, "Every hour my boys train with you is an hour they don't work with me. Only then did they "get to" do 10 half-mile repeats at a 2:45 clip straight uphill. Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. They still hang out and text each other. Is Netflix, Amazon, Now TV, ITV, iTunes, etc. Damacio Diaz, one of the three "running Diaz" brothers who helped build the McFarland . 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. Family Life There used to be a lot of crime back then, like gangsters and stuff, but now its really holding down its spot for the national spotlight. But while researching the project, I sat down with the Diaz family. cast as Damacio Diaz, are actual runners and Ramiro Rodriguez, as Danny Diaz, was . 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.. If you follow them on social media, you can see it even more. For the Diazes, that often was their literal brother. 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. Talbert announced. Let us send you our favorite posts and ideas once a week. Damacio Diaz, who was featured in the movie McFarland, USA and is currently a detective with the Bakersfield Police Department, has been arrested on bribery and drug trafficking charges. 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. The film tells a fictionalized version of the McFarland High School cross-country team's 1987 race to victory. Rafael was also probably the most soft-spoken and polite young man on the panel (not that they werent all polite). The only thing that separates us is the color of our skin, so we should try to treat each other equally., For Johnny, he wants people to take away these four ideals when they walk out of the theater:motivation, dedication, inspiration, and anythings possible.. They were running close to 12 hours a day for shooting. Carloseven told a story about how well Kevin Costner bonded with his9 year old brother. Whether it be Burglary, Financial Crimes Detail, Homicide, Narcotics Investigations, Sexual Assault, Special Enforcement (Gang), or Vice, he worked in every department at one point or the other. In April 2019, Carter was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for conspiring with Diaz and Mara to sell the seized drugs. Diaz was one of the real-life members of the team. During the defense's cross-examination of E. Jean Carroll, Trump's attorney asked the writer why she "did not scream" when she was "supposedly raped. We don't know that anyone was physically injured as a result of it, fortunately. In professional sports, team chemistry is massively valuable and nearly impossible to intentionally construct. Ramiro Rodriguez pictured with Rafael Martinez ("David Diaz) and Michael Aguero ("Damacio Diaz") at the McFarland USA press conference. This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and the Bakersfield Police Department. Three suspects in custody following fatal shooting in South L.A. Man who set five wildfires in San Diegos back-country gets 9 years in prison, Man serving life sentence for raping and killing San Bernardino 9-year-old charged with murder in second cold case. Damacio Diaz (R) and guest attend the Bakersfield Special Screening of "McFarland, USA" in Bakersfield, CA on Feb. 15th, 2015. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. The Bakersfield Californian says (http://bit.ly/2dGESLb) the U.S. Attorneys Office recommended between 17 and 22 years. Welcome to Killing County. See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by . Times staff writer Matt Hamilton contributed to this report. Dear Abby: Am I overreacting to my European daughter-in-law's behavior? Lock Diaz violated not only the trust of this organization but that of this community. Diaz was a member of the team that won the state championship. In doing so, he betrayed the trust of the public and his fellow officers., Damacio Diaz used his lawful authority as a sworn peace officer with the Bakersfield Police Department to illegally enrich his self-interests, said Michael T. Batdorf, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Brian K. Delaney and Angela Scott prosecuted the case. He also coached their sister, Delia, and three more brothers -- Diego, Dario and Gabriel -- through the years. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) 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. To a man, each of these brothers credits his unique endurance to a childhood spent picking almonds and grapes in the massive fields that stretch out to the horizon in all directions from their town. 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.". Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such conduct.". BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - An ex-detective who was on the championship 1987 track team depicted in the movie "McFarland USA" has been sentenced to . The 44-year-old Damacio Diaz was a 17-year veteran of the department Associated Press. A U.S. district judge ordered Diaz to begin serving his sentence on Dec. 5. Hes that person. Assistant United States Attorneys Brian K. Delaney and Angela Scott prosecuted the case. Diaz continued to operate the informant even though he was fully aware of the informants ongoing criminal activity. 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 Bakersfield Police Department is committed to building and maintaining public trust by holding our employees accountable for their actions and we will continue to provide quality service to our community. Carter would then could sell those narcotics for profit. According toABC 23, Ramirez was shot at a parking lot near a hotel while working as an off-the-books police informant for the Bakersfield Police Department, attempting to gain information on felon Justin Harger. I cannot express how much I already love this movie and the actors in it. 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 . BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) 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. He refused to let it end in Game 7, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. But his chief is ready to turn his back. We appreciate the support we have been given throughout this investigation and wish to thank the community for their patience and understanding., DEA Special Agent in Charge John J. Martin stated, Damacio Diaz committed crimes in a community he took an oath to serve and protect. David, Damacio and Danny Diaz all ran for coach Jim White on McFarland High's first state championship team in 1987, a journey portrayed in the film, "McFarland, USA." . Report an . Michael Aguero, who playsDamacio Diaz, was also a runner from the area. As it turns out, Ramirez was an informant at the behest of Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara. In May 2020, Diaz was released from a halfway house in Sacramento, where he was staying after serving his time. 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, according to the U.S. attorneys office. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Why did he share it? Oakland As reliever opens up about anxiety: Its something Ive struggled with, Can 49ers win Super Bowl with rookie kicker? McFarland, USA. NBA playoffs: When will the Warriors-Lakers series start? Diaz was one of the real-life members of the team. And despite never having had a relative make it past the ninth grade, all seven Diaz runners went to college. The docuseries, which is being executive produced byColin Kaepernick, follows a tale of corruption in a California police department. Movies. Jamie White. . Rooney Mara's Children: Who Is Rooney Mara Married To? Diaz, whose role on McFarland High School's 1987 championship cross country team was documented in the film [] The film tells a fictionalized version of the McFarland High School cross-country teams 1987 race to victory. Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now. 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. Actor Jeremy . Did Pats make Mac Jones happy? Google ' McFarland USA fact vs. fiction' and you get quite a few options that separate the true story of the upstart cross country program at the rural Central California high school and Hollywood's spin on it in the 2015 film starring Kevin Costner as coach Jim White. 501 I Street, Suite 10-100 But as the McFarland Cougars continued to train, and then started to win, and then kept winning, every runner in White's program became a figurative brother. Diaz and his brothers were members of the . BAKERSFIELD, CADamacio Diaz, 43, of McFarland, a detective with the Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) was arrested today, charged with abusing his position of trust as a police detective when . Michael Aguero (Damacio Diaz) In fact, these 7 actors spent so much time together that they built genuine relationships off the set. 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. The former police officer was subsequently sentenced to five years in federal prison, just to be released days early from a halfway house in Sacramento, California, on May 8, 2020. According to the plea agreement, Diaz also filed a joint income tax return for the calendar year 2012 that falsely reported total income of $168,485 and did not include additional income of at least $97,900. Diazs former partner, Patrick Mara, 36, of Bakersfield pleaded guilty to related charges on June 20, 2016, and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 17, 2016. Grant Thompson is a screenwriter based in Los Angeles. THE Danny Diaz in McFarland, USA. And these moments form the cinematic story of "McFarland, USA," just as much as the actual running does. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. And to answer who is Kevin Costner? Since then, from what we can tell, the 50-year-old has chosen to retire and lead a comfortable yet quiet life in his home county of Kern; he hasnt moved anywhere. He was a student from the Bakersfield area. The REAL Danny Diaz was his high school counselor. Actor 59 Credits. Official websites use .gov Damacio Diaz, a former Bakersfield, Calif., detective, speaks after his federal sentencing in a bribery and narcotics case in Fresno, Calif., Monday, Oct. 3, 2016. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. What each of the guys were not prepared for was the amount of running duringthe filming. Damacio Diaz was released Friday from a halfway house in Sacramento. U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. ONeill ordered Diaz to begin serving his sentence on December 5, 2016. The former NFL player is an executive producer on Hulu's "Killing County.". David Diaz, Danny Diaz and Damacio Diaz attend the premiere of Disney's "McFarland, USA" at the El Capitan Theatre on February 9, 2015 in Hollywood,. The search uncovered an ice chest containing approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine divided into multiple bags. 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. Can street race king Perez challenge Verstappen for the title? White -- played in the film by Kevin Costner -- wasn't from McFarland. In addition to Ramiro,Sergio Avelar (Victor Puentes) is also an actual runner and member of the McFarland Track Club. Follow these guys to see where they are headed next! Hectorbelieved that the film reinforced the idea of equality and not judging a book by its cover., That once you get deeper into whats real and all the values that are there, you see that everybodys equal. The search uncovered an ice chest containing approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine. Seor Diaz: Valente Rodriguez . pic.twitter.com/qKxl7i5dfn. Actor Danny Mora attends the premiere of Disney's "McFarland, USA" at the El Capitan Theatre on February 9, 2015 in Hollywood, California. . In addition to accepting illegal bribes, Diaz also engaged in drug trafficking while with the BPD. Nightly family dinners, Sunday church, festive quinceaeras -- these are vital community experiences to be celebrated and celebrated together. He was staying at the halfway house after serving his time. Go see it! Hanging out with them in the interview room, you could definitely see that connection. the chemistry you see on screen is exactly what we are in real life if not more. As a detective in Bakersfield, Calif., Damacio Diaz rose to national attention after the filmMcFarland, USA, was released in 2015. He broke the chain because he didnt want to live that life or go down that path. We appreciate the support we have been given throughout this investigation and wish to thank the community for their patience and understanding., DEA Special Agent in Charge John J. Martin stated, Damacio Diaz committed crimes in a community he took an oath to serve and protect. The BPD dog handler did not seize any of the drugs from the vehicle, but turned the scene over to Diaz and Mara to secure the methamphetamine and oversee the investigation of the incident. NFL Player Patrick Mahomes' Net, Is Patrick Gibson In A Relationship and Who Has He Dated?, Is YouTube Gaming Killing Twitch? These I was able have an interview 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. 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. "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. ", 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. His his first time seeing the ocean was while he was filming McFarland, USA. streaming McFarland, USA? photo. 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. Contribute to this page. Still, it was rarely the entire quantity as he, his partner Patrick Mara, as well as an associate, reportedly had this combined side hustle. Kevin Costner. The DOJ said Diaz and Mara deliberately failed to submit seized drugs as evidence and instead provided the stolen narcotics to Carter. The film tells a fictionalized version of the McFarland High School cross-country team's 1987 race to victory. As a detective in Bakersfield, Calif., Damacio Diaz rose to national attention after the film McFarland, USA, was released in 2015. The sentence received Monday was more lenient than prosecutors had urged for Damacio Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the Bakersfield Police Department. There's a reason for that. Diaz had a life that afforded him many opportunities, including the opportunity to serve and protect his community as an officer of the law, said Phillip A. Talbert, the acting U.S. attorney for Californias eastern district. According to the California Department of Justice, Diaz and Mara conspired with another man, Noel Carter, 46. Why is Frank McCourt really pushing it? 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. Damacio Diaz features in new Hulu documentary "Killing County. But talking to the Diaz brothers, and every runner for McFarland, I saw something deeper: a type of bond that forms only when people are pushed to their physical and mental limits. Before each season, White had to plead his case to their parents to let them run. The "Law & Order", Who Are Rooney Mara's Parents and What Do They Do For A. Find Danny Mcfarland stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. It was back in 1987 when Damacio Diaz inadvertently became a local celebrity of sorts owing to the way he built McFarland High School's winning cross-country dynasty alongside his two brothers. In their races, when they'd hit a wall on that last uphill climb, the McFarland runners consistently dug deeper than their opponent. The latest true crime docuseries from ABC News Studios isKilling County,whicharrives onHuluon Feb. 3. White didn't just coach three Diazes. Their foreman was also their father, but their true taskmaster was their mother. Julie is one of the main characters in the 2015 Disney sports drama McFarland, USA. LONG-DISTANCE RUNNING is pretty much the most individual sport there is. But you will learn that he, and the other 6 runners, are actually much more than that. Streamer Asmongold, Why Do The Handmaids Wear Red On Hulu's 'The Handmaid's, What Was Mary Mara's Cause Of Death? In doing so, he betrayed the trust of the public and his fellow officers., Damacio Diaz used his lawful authority as a sworn peace officer with the Bakersfield Police Department to illegally enrich his self-interests, said Michael T. Batdorf, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. Jim White moves his family after losing his last job as a football coach, and at his new school he turns seven disappointing students into one of the best cross-country teams in the region. Damacio Diaz, one of the three "running Diaz" brothers who helped build the McFarland . Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? Not to mention, he has become one of my familys best friends! Ramiro sat 1:1 with me as we talked about challenging ourselves to try new things (ironically this is his first film and my first 1:1 interview, ever), getting a part he never intended to audition for, and why it's important to share Danny's story with . Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The behavior and criminal activity that was exposed during this comprehensive investigation is in no way reflective of the commitment and remarkable public service the over 500 employees of the Bakersfield Police Department provide to our community on a consistent basis. Elsie Fisher. Damacio Diaz sentenced to 5 years for drug charge. He was in a 2015 episode of Made in Hollywood. U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of California, Domestic Violence, Child Exploitation, and Human Trafficking Prevention, Former Bakersfield Police Department Detective Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Bribery, Drug Trafficking, and Filing a False Tax Return, Former State Employee Sentenced to 12 months in Prison for Role in $2 Million Scheme to Defraud the Office of AIDS, Eastern District of California Completes Prosecution of 20 Defendants in DMV Corruption Cases, Bay Area Men Charged with Bribing a Vallejo City Official. Niki Caro Writing Credits . What Happened to Damacio Diaz? 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 . Mr. Ortiz believes that if he can do it anyone can. var _ndnq = _ndnq || []; _ndnq.push([embed]); Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), First Republic Bank seized, sold to JPMorgan Chase, McFarland USA runner gets prison for corruption as police detective. It's worth noting that when I interviewed the entire Diaz family, I did so in their large, comfortable house that was built by hand, on land that the family now owns. Damacio Diaz, right, shakes hands with Tomas Valles as the team readies for the start of the Southern section championships in the 1987 season. 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). All of that. Damacio Diaz was handed down a five-year sentence in federal prison for drug trafficking, bribery and other charges. Earlier this year, Diaz one of the three Diaz brothers depicted in the 2015 Disney film about the Central Valley team that won the state championship admitted to lying on his tax returns and accepting bribes from a criminal informant in return for information about police during a three-year period starting in 2012, according to the U.S. attorneys office. 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." Mara was released from a halfway house a month before Diaz, in April 2020, after serving just under four years in federal prison. In fact, these 7 actorsspent so much time together that they built genuine relationships off the set. Then something changed, Most of Yosemite Valley is closed due to potentially perilous snowpack and flooding, Four dead in apparent mass shooting in Mojave, What was behind the protest against an archaeologist at last weeks L.A. Times Book Festival, Column: If not cops or guns, what will it take to make us feel safe? Diazs former partner, Patrick Mara, 36, of Bakersfield pleaded guilty to related charges on June 20, 2016, and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 17, 2016. But it also came from a burning desire not to let their teammates down -- their literal and their figurative brothers. 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. Diaz pleaded guilty to the charges on May 31, 2016. He actually skipped school to make the audition but has no regrets about it. Learn more about the full cast of McFarland, USA with news, photos, videos and more at TV Guide . Suggest an edit or add missing content. When they said cut, it was still there.. 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. 1, Panthers' Bryce Young is all 'business now', XFL semifinals: Defenders roll Sea Dragons, set up title showdown with Renegades.
