Damacio Diaz Bio, Today, Age, Wife, Hulu's Killing County 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. 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.". 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.". People are now proud to say theyre from McFarland. Where is Damacio Diaz Now? 'Killing County' on Hulu Explores His - MSN A U.S. district judge ordered Diaz to begin serving his sentence on Dec. 5. 95814, Telephone:(916) 554-2700 Total dominance: Steph Curry breaks NBA Game 7 record, leads Warriors over Kings. The search uncovered an ice chest containing approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine. It was such a great experience. McFarland USA . 'McFarland, USA' runs an inspirational race - theadvocate.com I saw when it stops being about just you, and starts being about the person right next to you -- whether in the fields, or at the two-mile marker in the state meet. Why is Frank McCourt really pushing it? 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. After serving his sentence, Mara was sent to a halfway house in Long Beach before ultimately being released in April 2020. Remembering 1987: McFarland Fact vs. Fiction - California MileSplit streaming McFarland, USA? Detective whose story told in 'McFarland USA' gets prison This football coach arrived in town and figured out that the work ethic and stamina forged in the fields would translate better to distance running. 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,. Disgraced detective whose story was told in 'McFarland USA' gets prison Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such conduct.". 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 . John Ortiz as Jose Cardenas, Ramiro Rodriguez as Danny Diaz, Carlos Pratts as Thomas Valles, Sergio Avelar as Victor Puentes, Michael Aguero as Damacio Diaz, Kevin Costner as Jim White, Hector Duran as Johnny Sameniego and Rafael Martinez as David Diaz in "McFarland, USA." One of the things that take the full movie circle is that this was more than a group of actors, three out of the seven young actors on the team in the movie are from the McFarland areaSergio Avelar, who plays Victor Puentes, and Michael Aguero, cast as Damacio Diaz, are actual runners and Ramiro Rodriguez, as Danny Diaz, was a champion soccer player. The married couple exchanged their wedding vows in April 2006. Imagine a movie being made about your small town. 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"McFarland, USA" is inspired by a 1987 true story, in which an unlikely band of inexperienced, under-equipped, young Latino runners with exceptional determination rise to become cross-country state champions under the leadership of their coach, Jim White. Danny Mcfarland Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images In professional sports, team chemistry is massively valuable and nearly impossible to intentionally construct. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Disgraced former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz, one of the real-life heroes of the movie "McFarland USA," was sentenced Monday in U . For each of them, watching their small town suddenly be on the map has been a blessing. As a detective in Bakersfield, Calif., Damacio Diaz rose to national attention after the film McFarland, USA, was released in 2015. Three out of the seven young McFarland USA cast actors on the team in the movie are from the McFarland areaSergio Avelar who plays Victor Puentes and Michael Aguero, cast as Damacio Diaz, are actual runners and Ramiro Rodriguez, as Danny Diaz, was a champion soccer player. Similar to Diaz, Mara pled guilty to stealing narcotics such as methamphetamine and marijuana to give to Noel Carter for profit. Ramiro Rodriguez pictured with Rafael Martinez ("David Diaz) and Michael Aguero ("Damacio Diaz") at the McFarland USA press conference. Plus this actor,Ramiro Rodriguez, is a real-life champion soccer player from the McFarland area. The 44-year-old Damacio Diaz was a 17-year veteran of the department Associated Press. On September 20, 2012, while on duty, Diaz stopped a vehicle operated by two individuals from Yakima, Washington and used a BPD dog handler and police dog to search the vehicle. photo. Welcome to Killing County. Along with fellow BPD Detective Patrick Mara, 40, the two were sentenced to five years in federal prison. the chemistry you see on screen is exactly what we are in real life if not more. McFarland | You can't have my job, but I'll tell you a story 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. Damacio Diaz, whose story was told in a Disney movie about a high school cross-country team, admitted to accepting bribes and drug offenses, federal prosecutors said. Caro had a particularly hard time finding the right actor to play McFarland runner Danny Diaz. Follow these guys to see where they are headed next! 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. A former Bakersfield Police detective, serving time in prison for his role in a drug ring, has been released. Family is especially important in McFarland, as it is in many ethnic cultures in this country. When they said cut, it was still there.. 2 Grizzlies, LIVE Transfer Talk: Man United, PSG to battle for Abraham, Bayern back in charge, Yamal makes history, Napoli's party spoiled: Weekend Review. An official website of the United States government. . The pair were sentenced in federal . But you will learn that he, and the other 6 runners, are actually much more than that. The FBI and its federal law enforcement partners will continue to identify and investigate individuals who violate their oath of service and ignore the commitment they made to their communities.. Assistant United States Attorneys Brian K. Delaney and Angela Scott prosecuted the case. 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. In addition to accepting illegal bribes, Diaz also engaged in drug trafficking while with the BPD. Heres what we know. Rafael was also probably the most soft-spoken and polite young man on the panel (not that they werent all polite). Damacio was actually indicted on 16 federal counts related to bribery, drug trafficking, and filing a false tax return on the grounds he resold a lot of the drugs he confiscated during his police work. In addition to Ramiro,Sergio Avelar (Victor Puentes) is also an actual runner and member of the McFarland Track Club. Danny Mcfarlane Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images McFarland, USA movie subject and Bakersfield police officer charged in The trio honestly had an unwavering determination in their efforts despite being mere teenagers at the time, and that's what eventually inspired the . Damacio Diaz of McFarland cross country fame admits to police corruption and drug charges, faces federal prison. Thanks! Carter would then could sell those narcotics for profit. 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. Diaz was one of the real-life members of the team. What Happened to Damacio Diaz? Bakersfield Cop Seen in 'Killing - MSN 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." Because maybe, just maybe, the community of McFarland didn't just influence White to finally lay down his own family's roots there. 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. We love each other as brothers and we never lost that connection. Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now. Damacio Diaz, right, shakes hands with Tomas Valles as the team readies for the start of the Southern section championships in the 1987 season. Damacio Diaz Age. Contribute to this page. 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. 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 . Their feet are in the fertile soil, their gaze is forward, and they run shoulder-to-shoulder -- right next to one another. After sentencing, Diaz spoke with reporters outside the federal courthouse in Fresno. 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. Acting U.S. Attorney Talbert stated: Diaz had a life that afforded him many opportunities, including the opportunity to serve and protect his community as an officer of the law. In 2016, one of the real-life McFarland runners, Damacio Diaz, was sentenced to five years in prison for taking bribes and selling drugs while he was a Bakersfield police detective. 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. The search uncovered an ice chest containing approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine divided into multiple bags. Learn more about the full cast of McFarland, USA with news, photos, videos and more at TV Guide . Diaz pleaded guilty to the charges on May 31, 2016. 'McFarland USA' actor Johnny Ortiz accused of attempted murder Following Diaz and Maras indictment in October 2016, Damacio was released from a halfway house in Sacramento in May 2020, perKGET. Hanging out with them in the interview room, you could definitely see that connection. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The town has changed for the better. Fax Line:(916) 554-2900. Detective whose story told in 'McFarland USA' gets prison - AP NEWS He did submit every kind of narcotics to evidence following each bust. Is Netflix, Amazon, Now TV, ITV, iTunes, etc. 1, Panthers' Bryce Young is all 'business now', XFL semifinals: Defenders roll Sea Dragons, set up title showdown with Renegades. Diaz, a former Bakersfield police detective, is interviewed on camera in Killing County. Former BPD detective Damacio Diaz released from prison The 2004 Red Sox "idiots," Gregg Popovich's San Antonio Spurs dynasty, or the European Ryder Cup squads -- all of these championship teams have won more than individual player valuation suggested that they should. Not to mention, he has become one of my familys best friends! As a detective in Bakersfield, Calif., Damacio Diaz rose to national attention after the film McFarland, USA, was released in 2015. Michael Aguero (Damacio Diaz) In fact, these 7 actors spent so much time together that they built genuine relationships off the set. 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. Principal Camillo: Danny Mora . Diaz was a member of the team that won the state championship. Damacio Diaz was a subject of the movie McFarland USA and became a Bakersfield police officer. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Brittny Mejia is a Metro reporter who joined the Los Angeles Times in 2014. Damacio Diaz: Where is the Former Detective Now? She is the daughter of the lead character, Jim White, and his wife, Cheryl. Times staff writer Matt Hamilton contributed to this report. Photo by RON PHILLIPS -- From left, Johnny Sameniego (Hector Duran), Victor Puentes (Sergio Avelar), Damacio Diaz (Michael Aguero), Danny Diaz (Ramiro Rodriguez), Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner . 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. Damacio Diaz features in new Hulu documentary "Killing County. According to the California Department of Justice, Diaz and Mara conspired with another man, Noel Carter, 46. Seor Diaz: Valente Rodriguez . She writes narrative pieces with a strong emphasis on the Latino community and others that make up the diversity of L.A. and California. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - An ex-detective who was on the championship 1987 track team depicted in the movie "McFarland USA" has been sentenced to . Full court documents of who Diaz is as well as Diaz's final statements before sentencing. Diaz and Mara maintained possession of the remaining nine pounds of methamphetamine, and they ultimately sold it for their own personal gain. Michael Aguero, who playsDamacio Diaz, was also a runner from the area. But there was something else, something less obvious, that would help create an athletic dynasty that would win nine California state titles within 14 years. 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. 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. Former detective depicted in 'McFarland, USA' is sentenced to five Diaz pleaded guilty to the charges on May 31, 2016. They still hang out and text each other. 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. 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 . Damacio Diaz was released Friday from a halfway house in Sacramento, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He broke the chain because he didnt want to live that life or go down that path. 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. I cannot express how much I already love this movie and the actors in it. Before each season, White had to plead his case to their parents to let them run. The multi-part documentary is coming to the streaming platform on February 3 and includes first-person interviews with individuals and families plagued by gun violence, officer-involved homicides and other crimes in Bakersfield and Kern County, California. 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. HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 09: Damacio Diaz attends the world premiere of "McFarland, USA" at The El Capitan Theatre on February 9, 2015 in Hollywood, California. February 18, 2015 By // by Coralie 6 Comments. Mara pleaded guilty to related charges in June and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 17. Acting U.S. Attorney Talbert stated: Diaz had a life that afforded him many opportunities, including the opportunity to serve and protect his community as an officer of the law. On September 20, 2012, while on duty, Diaz stopped a vehicle operated by two individuals from Yakima, Washington and used a BPD dog handler and police dog to search the vehicle. Yosemite Valley fully reopens after forecasted flooding falls short, 19 people displaced after apartment fire in SE Fresno, American Airlines pilots vote to authorize strike. Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. When Rodriguez arrived at the auditions, Caro got a call from the producer saying the right person . Only then did they "get to" do 10 half-mile repeats at a 2:45 clip straight uphill. ", 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. He's a former 20-year veteran of the Bakersfield Police Department and was . Mejia was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2021 in local reporting for her investigation with colleague Jack Dolan that exposed failures in Los Angeles Countys safety-net healthcare system. Both had their sentences reduced. Bakersfield cop portrayed in 'McFarland USA' handed five years in He refused to let it end in Game 7, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 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. Actor known for playing Damacio Diaz in the 2015 sports drama film McFarland, USA. Disgraced cop of 'McFarland USA' fame gets five years in prison 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. 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. His wife and family, including a brother who works at McFarland high school, all supported him in court Friday afternoon. Interview with Jim White and the Diaz Brothers for McFarland, USA Damacio Diaz's McFarland legacy in jeopardy after arrest Jim White . BPD detective arrested for drug trafficking - fox47news.com 1,856 Mcfarland Film Premium High Res Photos - Getty Images McFarland, USA (also known as McFarland) is a 2015 American sports drama film directed by Niki Caro, produced by Mark Ciardi and Gordon Gray, written by Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson with music composed by Antnio Pinto.The film was co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Mayhem Pictures. Did Pats make Mac Jones happy? Diaz was one of the real-life members of the team. 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. 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. TheCalifornia Department of Justicenotes that Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara conspired with businessman Noel Carter, where they deliberately failed to submit the seized drugs into the BPD evidence room, and instead provided the stolen narcotics to Carter so Carter could sell those narcotics for profit.. Damacio Diaz is married to his wife Courtney Diaz. 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. . The Diazes grew up with more than 10 family and extended family members all crammed into a small, two-bedroom, cinder-block house. They still hang out and text each other. Kevin Costner arrives at the world premiere of "McFarland, USA" held at the El Capitan Theatre on February 9, 2015 in Hollywood, California. And these moments form the cinematic story of "McFarland, USA," just as much as the actual running does. The series explores how his family was affected by the corruption, but it also focuses on a former police detective named Damacio Diaz. But while researching the project, I sat down with the Diaz family. Movies. 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. Diaz and Mara maintained possession of the remaining nine pounds of methamphetamine, and they ultimately sold it for their own personal gain. He was a student from the Bakersfield area. Information from: The Bakersfield Californian, http://www.bakersfield.com. Have a question about Government Services? He stated, Working with Kevin was amazing and the way hetreats people, so honestly and so openly, as a youngactor, it was great to see and really helped meunderstand the kind of man I want to be. Cop depicted in movie 'McFarland USA' pleads guilty to - Police1 A true crime thriller we made set in Kevin McCarthys district. For three 'McFarland, USA' actors, Kern County isn't just the film's McFARLAND, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) - Officers agree that the indictment of Detective Damacio Diaz gives a black eye to the Bakersfield Police Department, but in the city of McFarland the damage could . The movie is based on the true story of a 1987 cross country team, that Diaz was a member of, from a mainly Latino high school in McFarland, California, that won a state championship. In May 2020, Diaz was released from a halfway house in Sacramento, where he was staying after serving his time. 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. This means in April 2023, Damacio and Courtney will be celebrating their 17th wedding anniversary. 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