The corruption scandal broke in November 2015 when federal agents arrested Bakersfield Police Detective Damacio Diaz for helping traffic methamphetamines. The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. Defendants could seek motions for a new trial or to withdraw pleas in some cases. According to Torres, the federal system will keep Diaz behind bars for more than four years before he becomes eligible for release. A full house of over three hundred gave a rousing standing ovation to Jim and his wife, Cheryl. However, similar to the film, Jim White had never been a runner himself and used the bike to follow the team during their workouts. All Rights Reserved. Both had their sentences reduced. . Then to keep him on the narrow road or that straight road is tough. interview. JIM WHITE : Thomas. But, no, they made me chubby or overweight [CHUCKLES] and hecka hella slow [LAUGHS] when you watch the movie. Fun fact: Rafael Martinez, who plays David Diaz in the movie, is one of my closest friends even to this day! They also plan to seize about $50,000 in cash and a home in an exclusive McFarland neighborhood. It reviewed 87 cases. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. And thatsthe one we have now. All seven Diaz children ran for Jim White and all seven went on to . Source: YouTube/KGET Article continues below advertisement That streak ended while the movie was in production, after the small school was elevated to Division I status, a byproduct of their success. (I am in the red in the back betweenDamacio and Danny). DAMACIO DIAZ : He was our seventh man actually. [LAUGHS] We all, all of us are basketball players. In 2016 Diaz was sentenced for crimes including federal. Soon Diaz and Mara were getting into other illegal activities, authorities said. If I could beat their third, fourth, fifth man, sixth man whatever, I would add more points to them. JIM WHITE : Ive done it quite often. and last updated 2016-10-03 21:34:05-04. Although, David did add that his mom is actually much more strict than she is made to be in the movie. Diaz was a member of the team that won the state championship. They couldve chosen any other team, because we have nine state titles. 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). [Asking Danny referring to the last race of the first year]. Damacio Diaz. Danny Diaz, daughter Delia Diaz, Gabriel As well as accepting illegal bribes, Diaz engaged in drug trafficking while with the BPD. Delaney was the prosecutor in the case. Chance of rain 40%. According to the National Park Service, citing law enforcement officials, the husband and wife were discovered on Jan. 13. Federal prosecutors in court sentencing documents said Mara had two patrol officers stop a vehicle the detectives knew was carrying 5 pounds of methamphetamine. And so, we have kids that are in high school and some that are in elementary school. 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. 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. There is no shame in admitting that this case has kept me awake at night, and few do, ONeill said to the packed courtroom. Oh, its more than an indiscretion, he said. Low 44F. [LAUGHS] These guys had all the pressure. Hi everyone! 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. But Mr. White was our second father. DAMACIO DIAZ : Yeah, were very, very proud of the way the movie portrayed us, our family. Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such conduct.". They threw it out. under Coach Jim White at McFarland High 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. And so, I cant keep up with my kids in high school [CHUCKLES], but I go with my little seven-year-old. Damacio is related to Elizabeth Z Diaz and Delia G Garza as well as 3 additional people. Scott Spielman said. All opinions expressed are my own. Now that he's cooperating with authorities, he has allegedly implicated others in the department, including his former partner . Diaz became well-known after being portrayed in the 2015 Disney movie, McFarland USA, starring Kevin Costner, about the transformation of a running team in McFarland. We signed with this one company. I can't wait to see this movie! Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. Ray was arrested in February 2020 and in April 2022, following a four-week trial, he was convicted on several counts. Diaz may be a free man later tonight, but he's facing life in prison for allegedly helping a meth dealer get drugs and stay undetected, all while he was supposed to be a narcotics detective. 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. Diazs loyalty to Magallanes would be his downfall. My mom has 12. Sports in high school can make or break a young man. And underneath and this was given out to the high school and a high school girl came up with this logo Tradition, Unity, and Excellence. Then they can do whatever they want. He literally would buy us shoes, feed us, counsel us, console us when we lost, that kinda stuff. 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. 12, The real Jim White and wife Cheryl White actually have three daughters, Tami, Julie and Jami. Plus I am a big Kevin Costner fan, I dont think I have ever not liked one of his movies. went on to college. And, uh, low and behold, Mr. White, during Thanksgiving break, uh, when we have no school, he had an emergency. He told me to take my wife out on a date or buy my kids something, Diaz would later recall in court papers. Damacio Diaz, 43, of McFarland, California, a detective with the Bakersfield, California, Police Department (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 U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner of the Eastern District of California . DAMACIO DIAZ : Our kids all compete. Eliu Garza, also a McFarland High runner, is . They came from a large family where faith,educationand hard work were important. 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. I wanna know is your mom really that way, because she was a scene stealer? DAMACIO DIAZ : Mr. White might have more than us. Were all a year apart. 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. Diaz did a lot of good things, Delaney said. 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 legendary former McFarland 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. So we have a lot of uncles and everybody has a lot of kids. Here's what we know. We started picking and hoeing and raking and doing everything you could possibly think of. -KGET 17, Yes. 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. They were very respectful and well-mannered towards him, treating him with much respect as we talked. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. A former Bakersfield Police detective, serving time in prison for his role in a drug ring, has been released. DAMACIO DIAZ : Yeah, we just run, Danny and I, just to stay in shape. Newsweek has everything you need to know about what happened to Bakersfield cop Damacio Diaz and why. 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. 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 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). Acting U.S. Atty. Mr. White had a lot more influence [on the script]. inspired to strive for something beyond Yes. In 2018, another man, Noel Carter, from Bakersfield, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Diaz and Mara to distribute drugs, according to federal prosecutors. Damacio Diaz is one of the subjects of new Hulu documentary Killing County. Silvia died on October 27, Herlinda on October 28. Yes. [LAUGHS] Theymade me, uh . DANNY DIAZ : east from McFarland, Mr. White here would take us to the hills. Coach Jim White Interview & the Diaz Family Looks Back, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. 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. It was really an honor. All of a sudden I saw these headlights and it was Mr. White in his '59 Chevy." "People discovered who I was, what my background was, and I was assaulted by numerous inmates," Diaz told 17 News. These were the guys running in the California heat and winning state titles. This included members of the Bakersfield High Drillers. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Did Coach White encourage you to use any of his style when youre teaching or coaching? We dont have actually any [CHUCKLES] malls. 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. 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. Sunny to partly cloudy. In Boise, Idaho, 1987, Jim White and his title of coach is signifying his status as a . Twitter. As you pull into McFarland, you will know notice a silhouette of a runner running through an open field. Kern County Dist. . Gabriel Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Diego Diaz, and father and mother Paul and Juanita Diaz. [CHUCKLES]. Where are Damacio and Patrick now? Thats what they wanted to do and Im just excited to be included in the movie. It was such a great experience. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Delaney, who prosecuted the case against former Bakersfield Police Department Detective Damacio Diaz, is shown here in this file photo following the Oct. 3 sentencingat U.S. District Court in Fresno. On October 3, 2016 Diaz was sentenced 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. Do you feel like the movie does a good job of describing that culture (of family and pickers)? Jim White and the Diaz Brothers with our Group for McFarland, USA. See more stories in. Unlike most defendants sentenced to prison for drug trafficking and other serious crimes, Diaz, dressed in a dark suit, walked out of the courthouse Monday afternoon unshackled, temporarily a free man. The story of McFarland started with a cross-country in the '80s. DANNY DIAZ : Once you give them your story, obviously you sign with them. They still believe in him, and so does his attorney, David A. Torres, who said, "He is and was a hero, in my opinion, and he is the same Damacio Diaz he is.". Damacio Diaz, 44, of McFarland, formerly a detective with the Bakersfield Police Department, was sentenced today to five years in prison for bribery . During the investigation, five other officers were placed on administrative leave related to the investigation and one recently resigned. "Niki Caro wanted to show more family in the movie so they chose me," says the real David Diaz, who actually graduated during the school year before the first state title win. Coach White concurred and said their mom even asked why they didnt make her strict enough. The love they genuinely have for him was heartfelt and true. Diaz pleaded guilty to stealing. Damacio Diaz (R) and guest attend the Bakersfield Special Screening of "McFarland, USA" in Bakersfield, CA on Feb. 15th, 2015. It depends on the circumstances. Yet this fraud used his position for gain and greed. I notice a lot of you became teachers. Diaz will be sentenced for three federal counts on October 3rd. This one looks awesome, can't wait to see it. My dad has 13 brothers and sisters. Its grown a little bit in the last two, three years but not much has changed. The Feds arrested him at the. Some of these teams that came after us were way better than us, way better than me as far as the running. it all made sense. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. 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. PrepCalTrack.com conducted this Jim White After the interview we were able to get a picture with them. David is represented in the McFarland, USA movie along with two of his brothers, Damacio and Danny. Damacio Diaz was released Friday from a halfway house in Sacramento, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. 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. He got into the truck and began to talk with Coach White about his difficulties at home. JIM WHITE : Let me add a little bit of that. Kevin Costner and others picking in the fields in McFarland, USA. 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 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. It is a day I truly regret and a decision that has changed my entire life.. Mara, a 13-year veteran, had 55 cases involving 70 defendants. We all feel grateful and the whole communitys just embracing it. Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip Talbert said at the time of Diaz's sentencing: "Diaz had a life that afforded him many opportunities, including the opportunity to serve and protect his community as an officer of the law. 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. Diaz said that his time as a narcotics detective drove him to a life of drinking and that Magallanes, a drug dealer and a prominent member of the Mexican Mafia, became more friend than informant. This was an all expense paid trip provided by Disney. A drug and corruption scandal has rocked the Bakersfield Police Department. Early on, ONeill seemed to be signaling he was taking a hard-line stance. I wanna know what your guyss first reaction was when you heard that not only was your story going to be a movie but specifically this movie and knowing what these true life, inspirational movies become? [CHUCKLES] And, and we didnt train and we got fifth that year. And he did. Thanks! But Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson said the federal and internal inquiries after 18 months cleared them all. Mr. Diaz, their dad Paul, he pushed education real hard, too. I've watched "McFarland" probably more than 200 times. 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.. Now we are a runner running through the field, a figure silhouette of a runner. Diaz, a former Bakersfield police detective, is interviewed on camera in Killing County. Phillip A. Talbert said the two detectives were specially selected for a joint drug task force in a region plagued by methamphetamine. He would beat us up all the time. 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. Learn more about the McFarland, USA true story by watching the Jim White interview below. A lot of us competed in college. children ran for Jim White and all seven 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. After nearly three decades as a defense attorney, Torres said, he has seen people charged with trafficking in narcotics sentenced to much less prison time, and hes seen the reverse. However, he had been a teacher in the McFarland School District since 1964, following his graduation from Pepperdine University. Prosecutors are specifically reexamining cases from 2011 to 2014, when the partners were committing crimes. Diaz and his partner, Patrick Mara, later admitted to ripping off drug dealers of their methamphetamine during traffic stops. [LAUGHS]. Despite the possible life sentence, a federal judge ruled Diaz can be released. Killing County is scheduled to premiere on Hulu on Friday, February 3.