The highest homicide rate The most crime. As well as accepting illegal bribes, Diaz engaged in drug trafficking while with the BPD. An official website of the United States government. Diaz and Mara maintained possession of the remaining nine pounds of methamphetamine, and they ultimately sold it for their own personal gain. Kevin Costner arrives at the world premiere of "McFarland, USA" held at the El Capitan Theatre on February 9, 2015 in Hollywood, California. McFarland, USA (2015) Full Cast & Crew. The series explores how his family was affected by the corruption, but it also focuses on a former police detective named Damacio Diaz. I am excited to share with you another great interview from my McFarland, USA press trip. 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. The former NFL player is an executive producer on Hulu's "Killing County.". 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. 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. 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. The runners of McFarland developed chemistry in the fields, yes, but in their own Latino culture as well. All of that, plus the number of takes to get a shot, added up to much more than an actual 5K for these guys. Mara was released from a halfway house in April after serving a little less than four years in federal prison. 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. Ramiro Rodriguez had no intention of auditioning when he agreed to . His wife and family, including a brother who works at McFarland high school, all supported him in court Friday afternoon. The primary subject of the documentary is the victim, Jorge Ramirez, Jr. Keep an eye on your inbox for updates. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The 44-year-old Damacio Diaz was a 17-year veteran of the department. Find Danny Mcfarlane stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. In their races, when they'd hit a wall on that last uphill climb, the McFarland runners consistently dug deeper than their opponent. In a tweet promoting the documentary, the star mentioned the high homicide and crime rates in Bakersfield, calling the series a "thriller set in Kevin McCarthy's district," in reference to House Speaker McCarthy, whose congressional district includes parts of Bakersfield. In fact, he had moved 12 times before he turned 18 and wasn't sure he'd ever find a place to lay down roots. pic.twitter.com/qKxl7i5dfn. THE Danny Diaz in McFarland, USA. He says he walked away from a lifestyle filled with heartache and gangs. Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick is an executive producer on the project, and says in the trailer that it "is one of the most powerful projects I've ever been involved with.". streaming McFarland, USA? The Diazes grew up with more than 10 family and extended family members all crammed into a small, two-bedroom, cinder-block house. Damacio Diaz sentenced to 5 years for drug charge. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. An ex-detective who had been on the championship 1987 track team depicted in the . The former BPD official apparently knew what he was doing wasnt right in any way, shape, or form, yet he couldnt find a way out as there was no one he could approach for help, as per the docuseries. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! That's food off our table.". He was a student from the Bakersfield area. McFarland, USA. If you havent seen McFarland, USA yet why not? 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. Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. Then something changed, Most of Yosemite Valley is closed due to potentially perilous snowpack and flooding, Four dead in apparent mass shooting in Mojave, What was behind the protest against an archaeologist at last weeks L.A. Times Book Festival, Column: If not cops or guns, what will it take to make us feel safe? Plus this actor,Ramiro Rodriguez, is a real-life champion soccer player from the McFarland area. 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. BAKERSFIELD, CADamacio Diaz, 43, of McFarland, a detective with the Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) was arrested today, charged with abusing his position of trust as a police detective when . In addition to accepting illegal bribes, Diaz also engaged in drug trafficking while with the BPD. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The town has changed for the better. 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. A former Bakersfield Police detective, serving time in prison for his role in a drug ring, has been released. He was in a 2015 episode of Made in Hollywood. 5 to 6 miles were just the warm-up in addition to ellipticals, bikes, and more training. 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. ), At Willie Nelson 90, country, rock and rap stars pay tribute, but Willie and Trigger steal the show, Concertgoer lets out a loud full body orgasm while L.A. Phil plays Tchaikovskys 5th, Plaschke: Lakers live up to their legacy with a close-out win for the ages, L.A. Affairs: I had my reasons for not dating white men. Damacio Diaz, right, shakes hands with Tomas Valles as the team readies for the start of the Southern section championships in the 1987 season. Broncos pick up Jeudy's 5th-year rookie option, Flames fire coach Sutter after three seasons, Bills ink vet Murray after passing on RBs in draft, College baseball player hit by stray bullet at game, USF RB facing charge for felony domestic battery, Panthers limit ticket sales to block Leafs fans, Kealia, J.J. Watt invest in PL-bound Burnley, LB Barrett's 2-year-old daughter drowns in pool, 'It's going to be epic': Stephen Curry and LeBron James face off -- again, Fantasy football rankings for 2023 season, 10 fantasy football breakout players for 2023. Nightly family dinners, Sunday church, festive quinceaeras -- these are vital community experiences to be celebrated and celebrated together. Along with fellow BPD Detective Patrick Mara, 40, the two were sentenced to five years in federal prison. The most police executions. 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. A week later, Diaz booked approximately one pound of methamphetamine from the vehicle stop into evidence. 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. And not just ANY role the role of Danny Diaz. Imagine a movie being made about your small town. Former detective Patrick Mara was also implicated in the same crime. But it also came from a burning desire not to let their teammates down -- their literal and their figurative brothers. His career as a detective was relatively uneventful until Jorge Ramirez, Jr. was shot by Bakersfield . Read More: Where are BPD Officers Aaron Stringer and Rick Wimbish Now? His career as a detective was relatively uneventful until Jorge Ramirez, Jr. was shot by Bakersfield police in September 2013. 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. But his chief is ready to turn his back. Everybody has their own opinions. 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. 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. Damacio Diaz: Diana Maria Riva . Powered by WordPress.com VIP. 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. Elsie Fisher. 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 . She is inspired by her father's passion for running and works hard to be the best athlete she can be. They are the real-deal and its inspiringto see their interactions even when they are not on camera together. Their foreman was also their father, but their true taskmaster was their mother. All Rights Reserved. Natalia . For each one of them, it was adifferent lesson. If you have, you know exactly who Danny is. For the Diazes, that often was their literal brother. As a detective in Bakersfield, Calif., Damacio Diaz rose to national attention after the filmMcFarland, USA, was released in 2015. Diaz, 48, was a member of the famed McFarland cross-country teams of the 1980's. He was portrayed in the movie Damacio Diaz, a former Detective for the Bakersfield Police Department, has been . Jamie White. 501 I Street, Suite 10-100 Former Bakersfield police detective Damacio Diaz was sentenced Monday in federal court to five years in prison.He pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges. 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. He broke the chain because he didnt want to live that life or go down that path. And despite never having had a relative make it past the ninth grade, all seven Diaz runners went to college. 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. 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. Disgraced former Bakersfield Police Department detective Damacio Diaz, one of the real-life heroes of the movie "McFarland USA," was sentenced Monday in U . LONG-DISTANCE RUNNING is pretty much the most individual sport there is. Total dominance: Steph Curry breaks NBA Game 7 record, leads Warriors over Kings. We would like your email. The highest homicide rate The most crime. 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. But you will learn that he, and the other 6 runners, are actually much more than that. 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. Over the years, the Diazes used that work ethic to put one foot in front of the other long enough to achieve success in agriculture, law enforcement and education. Damacio Diaz was released Friday from a halfway house in Sacramento. 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. Damacio Diaz of McFarland cross country fame admits to police corruption and drug charges, faces federal prison. A former Bakersfield Police Department detective and member of the famed McFarland High School cross-country team depicted in the Disney film McFarland, USA was sentenced this week to five years in prison. Did that come from cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, proper running form? He also coached their sister, Delia, and three more brothers -- Diego, Dario and Gabriel -- through the years. 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. The film tells a fictionalized version of the McFarland High School cross-country team's 1987 race to victory. What the longest game in MLB history says about baseball today, Which teams will reach the NBA conference finals? In fact, these 7 actorsspent so much time together that they built genuine relationships off the set. A locked padlock Menu. 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 . A week later, Diaz booked only one pound of methamphetamine from the car into evidence. They even brought in the local McFarland cross-countrycoach to help them with thetraining which beganevery morning at8am. For each of them, watching their small town suddenly be on the map has been a blessing. Diaz continued to operate the informant even though he was fully aware of the informants ongoing criminal activity. In February 2015, he attended the film's world premiere. And these moments form the cinematic story of "McFarland, USA," just as much as the actual running does. Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The pair were sentenced in federal . "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. Find where to watch movies online now! 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. After serving his sentence, Mara was sent to a halfway house in Long Beach before ultimately being released in April 2020. cast as Damacio Diaz, are actual runners and Ramiro Rodriguez, as Danny Diaz, was . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by . 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. A true crime thriller we made set in Kevin McCarthys district. 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. Finally, Carlos, who plated Thomas Valles, knew everyone would want to know what it was like working with Kevin Costner. 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. KGETsays he was also ordered to pay $70,513 in restitution as a result and $286,251 in proceeds from drug trafficking. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The search uncovered an ice chest containing approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine. IRS-CI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorneys Office to investigate these types of crimes that have a negative impact on our communities and the American Taxpayer., Diaz's illegal activity caused irreparable damage to his reputation, put the lives of others at risk, undermined public trust in the Bakersfield Police Department, and facilitated criminal activity, said Special Agent in Charge Monica M. Miller of the FBI Sacramento field office.
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