The married couple exchanged their wedding vows in April 2006. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. There's a reason for that. 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." Their businessman associate, Noel Carter, was sentenced to seven years and five months in prison for his role in re-distributing the drugs, as well as defrauding customers to whom he leased space by embezzling checks into his personal bank account. 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 . Before Fame. Damacio Diaz of McFarland cross country fame admits to police corruption and drug charges, faces federal prison. Bakersfield cop portrayed in 'McFarland USA' handed five years in 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. Dear Abby: I have a great life, so why have I fallen into this shameful behavior? 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. A former Bakersfield Police detective, serving time in prison for his role in a drug ring, has been released. 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. Actor known for playing Damacio Diaz in the 2015 sports drama film McFarland, USA. And these moments form the cinematic story of "McFarland, USA," just as much as the actual running does. The former NFL player is an executive producer on Hulu's "Killing County.". Family is especially important in McFarland, as it is in many ethnic cultures in this country. 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. 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. She is the daughter of the lead character, Jim White, and his wife, Cheryl. Welcome to Killing County. A former Bakersfield Police detective, serving time in prison for his role in a drug ring, has been released. photo. Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Damacio Diaz sentenced to 5 years for drug charge. 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. For a general manager, isolating this trait is the white whale. Damacio Diaz. . For the Diazes, that often was their literal brother. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. His career as a detective was relatively uneventful until Jorge Ramirez, Jr. was shot by Bakersfield police in September 2013. In 2018, another man, Noel Carter, from Bakersfield, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Diaz and Mara to distribute drugs, according to federal prosecutors. The former narcotics officer is now known, however, for going to prison in 2016 for charges tied to drugs, bribery and tax fraud. 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 federal agents arrested him at work today. What Happened to Damacio Diaz? 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. Michael Aguero is known for McFarland, USA (2015) and Made in Hollywood (2005). 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. Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such conduct., Bakersfield Chief of Police Williams stated: I appreciate the efforts of all agencies involved in this lengthy and exhaustive investigation and I am thoroughly satisfied with the ultimate conviction of Damacio Diaz. The docuseries, which is being executive produced byColin Kaepernick, follows a tale of corruption in a California police department. Damacio Diaz Bio, Today, Age, Wife, Hulu's Killing County Following Diaz and Maras indictment in October 2016, Damacio was released from a halfway house in Sacramento in May 2020, perKGET. More to explore. Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Carter was also ordered to pay $70,513 in restitution to his former employerwho he admitted to embezzling money fromand to forfeit $286,251 in proceeds from drug trafficking, according to federal prosecutors. McFarland USA . Killing County is scheduled to premiere on Hulu on Friday, February 3. Diaz and Mara maintained possession of the remaining nine pounds of methamphetamine, and they ultimately sold it for their own personal gain. 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. 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. 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. 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. For more California news, follow @brittny_mejia. Damacio Diaz was handed down a five-year sentence in federal prison for drug trafficking, bribery and other charges. 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As a detective in Bakersfield, Calif., Damacio Diaz rose to national attention after the film McFarland, USA, was released in 2015.The film tells a fictionalized version of the McFarland High . The 44-year-old Damacio Diaz was a 17-year veteran of the department Associated Press. The highest homicide rate The most crime. McFarland, USA - movie: watch streaming online - JustWatch Finally, Carlos, who plated Thomas Valles, knew everyone would want to know what it was like working with Kevin Costner. The most police executions. He actually skipped school to make the audition but has no regrets about it. The pair were sentenced in federal . When they said cut, it was still there.. McFarland, USA movie subject and Bakersfield police officer charged in Can street race king Perez challenge Verstappen for the title? Welcome to Killing County. THE Danny Diaz in McFarland, USA. 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 . At least, that's where my head was at in the fall of 2010, when I was approached to write a movie about a high school cross-country team from the Central Valley of California, from the (literally) one-stoplight town of McFarland. Former BPD detective, Damacio Diaz sentenced to 5 years - KERO KGETsays he was also ordered to pay $70,513 in restitution as a result and $286,251 in proceeds from drug trafficking. Once you watch McFarland, USA, I think you will be inspired to believe the same thing! 'McFarland USA' runner Damacio Diaz gets prison - The Mercury News She was the one who drove them to the fields at 5 a.m., where they picked fruit right up until the school bell rang, and then again in the afternoons after school. Copyright 2016 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Workingwith him was one of the best experiences of mylife.. Family Life 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.. Damacio Diaz, 43, of McFarland, a detective with the Bakersfield Police Department was arrested today, charged with abusing his position of trust as a police detective when he conspired with and . They are the real-deal and its inspiringto see their interactions even when they are not on camera together. The series explores how his family was affected by the corruption, but it also focuses on a former police detective named Damacio Diaz. Public corruption takes a heavy toll on our communities, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such conduct., Bakersfield Chief of Police Williams stated: I appreciate the efforts of all agencies involved in this lengthy and exhaustive investigation and I am thoroughly satisfied with the ultimate conviction of Damacio Diaz. Mara was released from a halfway house in April after serving a little less than four years in federal prison. 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. Former BPD officers who resold seized drugs released from federal He did submit every kind of narcotics to evidence following each bust. Go see it! Where are Damacio and Patrick now? 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. Michael Aguero - IMDb Brittny Mejia is a Metro reporter who joined the Los Angeles Times in 2014. That's food off our table.". He ran one year of cross-country in high school in Gainesville, Florida; he wasn't particularly fast. How is he? The only reason Im telling that story is because that person is the person that we spent 4 months with. 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. Michael Aguero - Trivia, Family, Bio | Famous Birthdays 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 . "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. Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. Everybody has their own opinions. Official websites use .gov In their races, when they'd hit a wall on that last uphill climb, the McFarland runners consistently dug deeper than their opponent. All of that, plus the number of takes to get a shot, added up to much more than an actual 5K for these guys. I cannot express how much I already love this movie and the actors in it. Grant Thompson is a screenwriter based in Los Angeles. 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. Detective whose story told in 'McFarland USA' gets prison - AP NEWS The movie is based on the true story of a 1987 cross . You travel to the audition simply to drive your cousin who wants to give it a try and somehow end up with a role in the movie. Synopsis. Diaz violated not only the trust of this organization but that of this community. Carloseven told a story about how well Kevin Costner bonded with his9 year old brother. 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 . Former BPD detective Damacio Diaz released from prison A couple weeks later, the Bakersfield Police Department put him on leave after a federal investigation started to reveal an alleged connection to a major meth dealer. 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. Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. 5 to 6 miles were just the warm-up in addition to ellipticals, bikes, and more training. 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. Sacramento, CA. Mara pleaded guilty to related charges in June and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 17. It was back in 1987 when Damacio Diaz inadvertently became a local celebrity of sorts owing to the way he built McFarland High Schools winning cross-country dynasty alongside his two brothers. Thanks! Julie is one of the main characters in the 2015 Disney sports drama McFarland, USA. He was staying at the halfway house after serving his time. 'McFarland, USA' runs an inspirational race - theadvocate.com Meet, How Rich Is Patrick Mahomes? He broke the chain because he didnt want to live that life or go down that path. Actor Jeremy . It actually helped him put up the championship banners that crowd the front of the school's gymnasium, just a few hundred yards from that one stoplight. If you follow them on social media, you can see it even more. 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. I am excited to share with you another great interview from my McFarland, USA press trip. Imagine a movie being made about your small town. Danny Mcfarland Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images The Diazes grew up with more than 10 family and extended family members all crammed into a small, two-bedroom, cinder-block house. His attorney says he should be home for the holidays and then back in court in Fresno in January. They were running close to 12 hours a day for shooting. Dear Abby: Am I overreacting to my European daughter-in-law's behavior? Despite the possible life sentence, a federal judge ruled Diaz can be released. "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. Disgraced cop of 'McFarland USA' fame gets five years in prison 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. A South Valley legend so popular he became the subject of a Disney movie has taken a hard fall. Yes, McFarland is an inspirational story. "The embarrassment is just going to keep growing over this," Laura Harth, the campaign director at Safeguard Defenders, told Newsweek. Because maybe, just maybe, the community of McFarland didn't just influence White to finally lay down his own family's roots there. Former detective depicted in 'McFarland, USA' is sentenced to five Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. Only then did they "get to" do 10 half-mile repeats at a 2:45 clip straight uphill. The Bakersfield Californian says (http://bit.ly/2dGESLb) the U.S. Attorneys Office recommended between 17 and 22 years. the chemistry you see on screen is exactly what we are in real life if not more. Damacio Diaz of McFarland cross country fame admits to police corruption and drug charges, faces federal prison. As well as accepting illegal bribes, Diaz engaged in drug trafficking while with the BPD. 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 . 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. The primary subject of the documentary is the victim, Jorge Ramirez, Jr. 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. Remembering 1987: McFarland Fact vs. Fiction - California MileSplit All Rights Reserved. Rooney Mara's Children: Who Is Rooney Mara Married To? 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. Kevin Costner arrives at the world premiere of "McFarland, USA" held at the El Capitan Theatre on February 9, 2015 in Hollywood, California. 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. She writes narrative pieces with a strong emphasis on the Latino community and others that make up the diversity of L.A. and California. Ramiro Rodriguez had no intention of auditioning when he agreed to . Just ask Danny, David or Damacio Diaz, who, along with their 1987 cross country teammates are portrayed in the new movie, "McFarland, USA," about the unlikely rise of a high school cross . In professional sports, team chemistry is massively valuable and nearly impossible to intentionally construct. When Diaz filed a joint income tax return that year, he omitted additional income of at least $97,900, according to the U.S. attorneys office. And despite never having had a relative make it past the ninth grade, all seven Diaz runners went to college. Diaz was a member of the team that won the state championship. This case is finally over, and we are extremely blessed and happy to announce that we are victorious, Diaz said. 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. 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 . In fact, these 7 actorsspent so much time together that they built genuine relationships off the set. Damacio Diaz: Where is the Former Detective Now? Damacio Diaz is interviewed on camera inKilling County,which premieres on Feb. 3, 2023, on Hulu. Bakersfield, California, Police Narcotics Detective Charged with 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. 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. Oakland As reliever opens up about anxiety: Its something Ive struggled with, Can 49ers win Super Bowl with rookie kicker? 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. 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.". 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. 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. It was such a great experience. 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. Find where to watch movies online now! Principal Camillo: Danny Mora . 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. But while researching the project, I sat down with the Diaz family. 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. Damacio Diaz is married to his wife Courtney Diaz. Assistant United States Attorneys Brian K. Delaney and Angela Scott prosecuted the case. Why did he share it? The Feds said Diaz was cheating the system in several ways -- for one, by stealing cash for drug buys or stealing the drugs from drug buys. 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. He says he walked away from a lifestyle filled with heartache and gangs. NBA playoffs: When will the Warriors-Lakers series start? The REAL Danny Diaz was his high school counselor. Information from: The Bakersfield Californian, http://www.bakersfield.com. They still hang out and text each other. Disgraced former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz, one of the real-life heroes of the movie "McFarland USA," was sentenced Monday in U . 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. Greed was a major motivation for Diaz to begin making unfortunate decisions that brought him to conspire with drug dealers and accept bribes for money. Let us send you our favorite posts and ideas once a week. He's a former 20-year veteran of the Bakersfield Police Department and was . Trivia. 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. McFarland has about 12,000 people, 95 percent of whom are Latino -- migrants who have found their way to the Central Valley for more than 40 years to work in agriculture. 501 I Street, Suite 10-100 Have a question about Government Services? Damacio Diaz, one of the three "running Diaz" brothers who helped build the McFarland . McFarland, USA. What Happened to Damacio Diaz? Bakersfield Cop Seen in - Newsweek 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. Hanging out with them in the interview room, you could definitely see that connection. Report an . 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.. 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 .