'Gladiator Fights' Between Minors At California Juvenile Hall Leads To 30 Officers Being Indicted

Thirty corrections officers from Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in California have been indicted on child abuse charges for allegedly orchestrating "gladiator fights" between minors, state prosecutors announced. According to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, officers encouraged nearly 70 fights between youths aged 12 to 18 from July through December 2023. The indictment includes charges of child endangerment, conspiracy, and battery.

The investigation, launched by the California Department of Justice, stemmed from leaked footage of one of the fights in January 2024. In total, 143 minors were identified as victims. The indictment states that the officers' actions were enabled by "the vulnerability of the victims and the officer's position of trust or confidence."

Court documents reveal 69 incidents over six months in which probation officers "facilitated and permitted youths in their custody to fight each other." The release from Bonta's office described the fights as "a dereliction of the officers' duty to protect those in their care."

On Monday, 22 of the 30 officers were arraigned in Los Angeles Superior Court. The remaining eight are scheduled for arraignment on April 18. It is unclear whether all 30 officers have legal representation.

Bonta condemned the officers' actions, stating, "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 the indictment is "an important step" toward accountability and improving conditions at the 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," Bonta declared.

Link: USA Today