They even brought in the local McFarland cross-countrycoach to help them with thetraining which beganevery morning at8am. Damacio Diaz in a Bakersfield Police Dept. The only reason Im telling that story is because that person is the person that we spent 4 months with. A locked padlock Damacio Diaz Age. After sentencing, Diaz spoke with reporters outside the federal courthouse in Fresno. A South Valley legend so popular he became the subject of a Disney movie has taken a hard fall. Family of elite distance runners portrayed in "McFarland, USA - ESPN 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. The former narcotics officer is now known, however, for going to prison in 2016 for charges tied to drugs, bribery and tax fraud. I am excited to share with you another great interview from my McFarland, USA press trip. 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. Jamie White. 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 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. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? 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. Let us send you our favorite posts and ideas once a week. As a documentary series that delves deep into the alleged corruption, cover-ups, and crimes within the Bakersfield Police Department over the years, Hulus Killing County is unlike any other. The search uncovered an ice chest containing approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine divided into multiple bags. Former BPD detective Damacio Diaz released from prison Only then did they "get to" do 10 half-mile repeats at a 2:45 clip straight uphill. He was in a 2015 episode of Made in Hollywood. He shares "screenplay by" credit on "McFarland, USA," directed by Niki Caro and starring Kevin Costner. Michael Aguero - IMDb Damacio Diaz | You can't have my job, but I'll tell you a story 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. Despite the possible life sentence, a federal judge ruled Diaz can be released. Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. It was such a great experience. 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 . Interview with Jim White and the Diaz Brothers for McFarland, USA Nightly family dinners, Sunday church, festive quinceaeras -- these are vital community experiences to be celebrated and celebrated together. 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.. For each one of them, it was adifferent lesson. 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. Find where to watch movies online now! Trivia. Diaz continued to operate the informant even though he was fully aware of the informants ongoing criminal activity. Learn more about contributing; Edit page. If you havent seen McFarland, USA yet why not? 1, Panthers' Bryce Young is all 'business now', XFL semifinals: Defenders roll Sea Dragons, set up title showdown with Renegades. The judge sentenced me to a time period that we believe is fair.. But while researching the project, I sat down with the Diaz family. Where are Damacio and Patrick now? Synopsis. Johnny Samaniego ended up coaching cross-country for 10 years, before coaching the girls' basketball team at McFarland High School. 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. A true crime thriller we made set in Kevin McCarthys district. Yes, the McFarland High boys did win a team title at the first CIF-State Cross . 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. Disgraced detective whose story was told in 'McFarland USA' gets prison . 'McFarland USA' runner Damacio Diaz gets prison - The Mercury News ", (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. McFarland | You can't have my job, but I'll tell you a story 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. McFarland, USA. The sentence received Monday was more lenient than prosecutors had urged for Damacio Diaz, a 17-year veteran of the Bakersfield Police Department. Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. But the boys were committed to the fledgling running program, and White was a good enough salesman that they still made it to cross-country practice. 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 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 is interviewed on camera inKilling County,which premieres on Feb. 3, 2023, on Hulu. 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 is one of the subjects of new Hulu documentary Killing County. 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. White didn't just coach three Diazes. Mr. Ortiz believes that if he can do it anyone can. Diaz and Mara maintained possession of the remaining nine pounds of methamphetamine, and they ultimately sold it for their own personal gain. 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. 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According to court documents, between April 2012 and February 2015, while employed as a police officer with the Bakersfield Police Department (BPD), Diaz handled a criminal informant who was involved in the large-scale sale and distribution of methamphetamine. He ran one year of cross-country in high school in Gainesville, Florida; he wasn't particularly fast. U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. ONeill ordered Diaz to begin serving his sentence on December 5, 2016. Actor 59 Credits. 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. 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. 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. 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. Based on the true story of a 1987 cross country team from a mainly Latino high . 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.. 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 chemistry you see on screen is exactly what we are in real life if not more. Kevin Costner. "The embarrassment is just going to keep growing over this," Laura Harth, the campaign director at Safeguard Defenders, told Newsweek. I cannot express how much I already love this movie and the actors in it. 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. Follow these guys to see where they are headed next! Actor: McFarland, USA. And not just ANY role the role of Danny Diaz. Before Fame. Rafael was also probably the most soft-spoken and polite young man on the panel (not that they werent all polite). The Feds arrested him at the department Friday morning and removed evidence. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Caro had a particularly hard time finding the right actor to play McFarland runner Danny Diaz. A U.S. district judge ordered Diaz to begin serving his sentence on Dec. 5. Damacio Diaz. 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. Damacio Diaz: Where is the Former Detective Now? McFarland, USA is already in theaters and doing well! There's a reason for that. He's a former 20-year veteran of the Bakersfield Police Department and was . His career as a detective was relatively uneventful until Jorge Ramirez, Jr. was shot by Bakersfield . The docuseries, which is being executive produced byColin Kaepernick, follows a tale of corruption in a California police department. McFarland, USA. Detective whose story told in 'McFarland USA' gets prison 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. photo. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Damacio Diaz of McFarland cross country fame admits to police corruption and drug charges, faces federal prison. What Happened to Damacio Diaz? 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 . For the Diazes, that often was their literal brother. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Former detective depicted in 'McFarland, USA' is sentenced to five The film tells a fictionalized version of the McFarland High School cross-country teams 1987 race to victory. 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. We love each other as brothers and we never lost that connection. Diaz was released from prison in May 2020. Damacio Diaz was handed down a five-year sentence in federal prison for drug trafficking, bribery and other charges. 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). 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. According to court documents, between April 2012 and February 2015, while employed as a police officer with the Bakersfield Police Department (BPD), Diaz handled a criminal informant who was involved in the large-scale sale and distribution of methamphetamine. Former BPD detective, Damacio Diaz sentenced to 5 years - KERO pic.twitter.com/qKxl7i5dfn. Along with fellow BPD Detective Patrick Mara, 40, the two were sentenced to five years in federal prison. From left to right: Thomas Valles, Victor Puentes, Damacio Diaz, Johnny Samaniego, Jose Cardenas, Danny Diaz . They were running close to 12 hours a day for shooting. 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. A week later, Diaz booked approximately one pound of methamphetamine from the vehicle stop into evidence. Full court documents of who Diaz is as well as Diaz's final statements before sentencing. 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
Jim White . 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. Diaz pleaded guilty to the charges on May 31, 2016. 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. Bakersfield Police Narcotics Detective Charged With Bribery, Drug Sacramento, CA. In fact, these 7 actorsspent so much time together that they built genuine relationships off the set. His his first time seeing the ocean was while he was filming McFarland, USA. Yet his desire to always be at the front and center of action soon reached such an extent that he started blurring the line between right and wrong, resulting in his arrest in November 2015. A week later, Diaz booked only one pound of methamphetamine from the car into evidence.