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 these officers allowed and sometimes encouraged 69 fights between youths from July 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. This action follows an investigation by the California Department of Justice after video footage of one such "gladiator fight" was leaked in January 2024.
Twenty-two of the accused officers were arraigned today at Los Angeles Superior Court. The remaining will face 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 issues 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 involve alleged child abuse/endangerment; conspiracy to commit a crime; and battery affecting 143 victims aged between 12 and 18. Aggravating factors cited include victim vulnerability and the officers' positions of trust or confidence which facilitated these offenses. The indictment documents incidents over six months where probation officers permitted youths in custody to engage in physical altercations.
In addition to this criminal prosecution, Attorney General Bonta has been working on systemic improvements within Los Angeles County juvenile halls to safeguard youth welfare. In November 2024, he announced enhanced monitoring and protections through an amended court judgment addressing illegal conditions in these facilities. This civil judgment operates independently from today's criminal charges against Los Padrinos detention officers.
A copy of the indictment is available for public access.
It is crucial to remember that an indictment consists of allegations that require proof in court. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.