Thirty officers at a juvenile detention facility in Southern California face charges from the state for allegedly running “gladiator fights” with the youths.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the unsealing of the grand jury indictment against the 30 detention services officers on Monday.
The big picture: The state alleges that officers allowed and encouraged 69 fights to occur between youths at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey over six months in 2023.
- The Department of Justice launched an investigation after viewing video footage of one of the so-called “gladiator fights,” which leaked in January 2024.
- Twenty-two of the officers were arraigned in court on Monday, with the other eight scheduled to be arraigned on April 18.
State of play: The officers were indicted on charges that included alleged child abuse and endangerment, conspiracy to commit a crime and battery impacting 143 victims between the ages of 12 and 18.
What they’re saying: “Officers at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall have a duty to ensure the safety and well-being of those under their care,” Bonta said. “Instead, the officers charged today did just the opposite – overseeing ‘gladiator fights’ when they should have intervened. “The indictment – and the filing of criminal charges – is an important step toward holding these officers accountable and addressing shortfalls at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. Let today’s charges be a warning for all those who abuse their power: the California Department of Justice is watching, and we will hold you accountable.”
