Thirty officers at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, California, have been charged with facilitating ‘gladiator fights’ among minors. According to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the officers allegedly allowed and sometimes encouraged nearly 70 fights involving over 140 minors aged 12 to 18 between July and December 2023. The charges include child endangerment, abuse, conspiracy, and battery.
The investigation began after a video of one such fight was leaked in January 2024. The footage showed officers standing by as a 17-year-old was attacked by other youths, with some officers reportedly laughing and shaking hands with participants. Bonta stated that the officers “oversaw ‘gladiator fights’ when they should have intervened.”
Twenty-two officers were arraigned on Monday (March 3), and the remaining officers will be arraigned on April 18. All involved officers have been placed on unpaid leave. The Los Angeles County Probation Department, which runs the facility, expressed support for the indictments and emphasized its commitment to accountability and zero tolerance for misconduct.
Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, under a state order to close due to multiple issues, remains open due to a lack of alternative facilities. The attorney representing the 17-year-old involved in the leaked video described the indictment as “the tip of the iceberg” of systemic problems within the probation department.
Recent Comments