California Detention Officers Charged for Staging Gladiator Fights Among Youths

Thirty detention officers at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, California, face felony charges for allegedly facilitating and encouraging 'gladiator fights' among youth detainees. An investigation, prompted by leaked footage in January 2024, revealed that the officers allowed or orchestrated at least 69 violent altercations involving 143 youths aged 12 to 18 from July to December 2023. According to the indictment, rather than intervening, officers watched the fights and viewed them as a means of controlling the detainees, leading to injuries such as broken noses. The charges against the officers include child abuse, conspiracy, and battery, with penalties ranging from two to six years in prison if convicted. The Los Angeles County Probation Department has placed all indicted officers on unpaid leave and expressed support for the ongoing investigation. Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the need for accountability and the restoration of trust in the juvenile facility.