Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced the unsealing of a grand jury indictment against 30 detention services officers at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, California. The charges include child endangerment and abuse, conspiracy, and battery. The indictment alleges that the officers facilitated and sometimes encouraged 69 fights between youths from July 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. This legal action follows an investigation by the California Department of Justice after video footage of one such "gladiator fight" surfaced in January 2024. Twenty-two officers were arraigned today at Los Angeles Superior Court, with the remaining officers scheduled for arraignment on April 18, 2025.

Attorney General Bonta stated, “Officers at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall have a duty to ensure the safety and well-being of those under their care. Instead, the officers charged today did just the opposite – overseeing ‘gladiator fights’ when they should have intervened.” He emphasized that this indictment is a step toward accountability and addressing deficiencies 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.”

The charges against the officers involve alleged child abuse/endangerment; conspiracy to commit a crime; and battery affecting 143 victims aged between 12 and 18. Aggravating factors cited in the indictment include victim vulnerability and the breach of trust by officers which enabled these offenses. The document details incidents over six months where probation officers allowed youths in custody to engage in physical altercations resulting in harm.

Beyond this criminal case, Attorney General Bonta has been working on systemic issues within Los Angeles County juvenile halls to protect youth health and safety. In November 2024, he announced additional monitoring measures as part of an amended court judgment aimed at rectifying illegal conditions in these facilities. This civil judgment is separate from today's criminal charges against Los Padrinos detention officers.

It is crucial to remember that an indictment consists of allegations that must be proven in court. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.