Assistant U.S. Atty Brian Delaney said Magallanes was arrested in a separate case and told officials about Diaz. Hes a pretty good coach, too. 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. Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. She argued that her husband has learned from his mistakes and should not face any prison time at all. Calif. Diaz and his partner, Patrick Mara, later admitted to ripping off drug dealers of their methamphetamine during traffic stops. 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. With nothing to do in their small town, kidshave two choices: education and sports or the streets. Dozens of Coach Jim White's runners ended up going to college or into the armed forces. They work in the school system and believe in. Let us send you our favorite posts and ideas once a week. So hes a very knowledgeable guy. This this file photo, former Bakersfield Police Department Detective Damacio Diaz and his wife, Courtney, and other family members and friends leave the U.S. District Court in Fresno after he was sentenced to five years in federal prison. Director Niki Caro chose to omit Luis Partida, who in the movie is replaced with David Diaz. Plus I am a big Kevin Costner fan, I dont think I have ever not liked one of his movies. Hi everyone! 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. 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. Were all a year apart. 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. During the investigation, five other officers were placed on administrative leave related to the investigation and one recently resigned. It was such a great experience. 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. McFarland, USA: Directed by Niki Caro. He will have about two months to think about what comes next. was like to have a movie made about his [LAUGHS]. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. It does take a village [CHUCKLES] to raise, a child. 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. 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. I was just running to, to displace other runners and add them more points. 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. We were about seven or eight years old when all that began. Overall though, they agreed that the picker lifestyle and Latino culture of the community was perfectly captured. DAVID DIAZ : So, it helps you running wise and mentally wise, as well, because you have to endure that steepness, if you will. "People discovered who I was, what my background was, and I was assaulted by numerous inmates," Diaz told 17 News. country team. -KGET 17, Yes. 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 . We started picking and hoeing and raking and doing everything you could possibly think of. cross country coach talks about what it FRESNO, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) Former Bakersfield police detective Damacio Diaz was sentenced Monday in federal court to five years in prison. 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. And believe it or not, before he was a coach, hes a scientist. Did that change how you ran in future races? These guys are amazing and it was a pleasure meeting them and listening to them. But the guys over here were in decent shape still. Plus I love Kevin Costner! They talk about being Diaz would quickly implicate Mara and then suggest others were making money too. Damacio Diaz said he doesn't recognize the man he was three years ago when he was a detective working for Bakersfield police. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. DAVID DIAZ : Yeah, so just to let you know: I think Hollywood did a, a very good job of depicting and not making it look too guilty as regarding CPS. Damacio Diaz. 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). 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. The detective tipped him off about a Drug Enforcement Administration wiretap that captured him chatting, advising him to lay low, according to documents. 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. Honestly, as we sat and talked with the Diaz brothers 3things were very apparent. When the informant left, the narcotics detective found just under $1,000 in the passenger-side door pocket. The movie is based on the true story of a 1987 cross . White retired in 2002 afterteaching in McFarland schools for 40 years and coaching for 25 years. His partner, Patrick Mara, admitted to selling methamphetamine. Damacio is related to Elizabeth Z Diaz and Delia G Garza as well as 3 additional people. We maybe started school but hardly any of us finished. I can't wait to see this movie! That is definitely true. I used to take Damacio and some of hispeers. So, my dad worked ten, twelve, thirteen, fourteen hours a day sometimes and both of them [his parents] come from large families. [LAUGHS], Kevin Costner and Carlos Pratts in McFarland, USA. - 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. director of photography Film Editing by David Coulson Casting By Sheila Jaffe Production Design by Richard Hoover If I could beat their third, fourth, fifth man, sixth man whatever, I would add more points to them. Thats a long time in jail for someone who once wore a badge.. My parents definitely pushed us to go that route and not thewide road most people go to is other than college. Thats why we had the sixth and seventh runner on a team. Defendant reserves the . They came from a large family where faith,educationand hard work were important. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. In our case, you know, theres seven and my dad worked a lot of hours. It was really an honor. Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. A former Bakersfield Police detective, serving time in prison for his role in a drug ring, has been released. But thats okay. 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. Interview with Big Hero 6 Directors Don Hall and Chris Williams, Behind the scenes of Big Hero 6 Bonus Content with FEAST Director Patrick Osborne. They were sooo funny to chat with. Patrick Mara, center, speaks while flanked by attorney Fred Gagliardini. 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. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. FRESNO, Calif. Damacio Diaz, 44, of McFarland, formerly a detective with the Bakersfield Police Department, pleaded guilty today to 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. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. 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. Jim White restarted the program in 1980 after it had been dropped for a year. 1999 - 2000 Those are the two extremes and those are the two options that are there for our community. So the only way I could get some of them into some of the fields that I had to do the work with them. 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. 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. Yes. Gabriel Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego Diaz, and father and mother Paul and Juanita Diaz. The disgraceful and criminal behavior of Diaz and Mara has gravely impacted the Bakersfield Police Department as well as our community as a whole, she said. [LAUGHS] These guys had all the pressure. They are a faith-filled family. Write by: [CHUCKLES] When we were growing up, maybe seven, eight, nine, ten thousand people is the population. The hearing included impassioned appeals by Diazs brother, wife and daughter, with the two latter witnesses in tears through much of their statements. Although, the brothers did say that the town hasnt really changed much, Coach White has noticed one big change. 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. 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. Coach Jim White Interview & the Diaz Family Looks Back, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. Damacio Diaz was a subject of the movie McFarland USA and became a Bakersfield police officer. He advised her to first trust in God, as the Almighty, he said, is not subject to the weaknesses and failings of humankind. Um, Im running my first half marathon soon, and, um, I just wanna know are those hills what you really trained on? All seven Diaz Where are Damacio and Patrick now? All of a sudden I saw these headlights and it was Mr. White in his '59 Chevy."