LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County probation officers have been charged with multiple crimes, including child abuse and danger, following an investigation that detected cases of “youth yacht violence” at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, officials said Monday.
As part of the indictment, prosecutors allege that officers staged “fighting gladiators” among young detainees in troubled facilities. According to state Attorney General Rob Bonta, 69 fights were allowed to occur among young people who were institutionalized between July and December 2023.
“The officers of the Los Padrinos Boys Hall are obligated to ensure the safety and well-being of the people who care for them,” Bonta said in a statement Monday. “Instead, the opposite is how the officers accused today are undergoing a ‘greater fight’ when they should have intervened. The filing of charges and criminal charges is an important step towards holding these officers accountable and addressing the shortage at the Los Padrino boys hall. Today’s accusations are a warning for all those who abuse their power. California Department of Justice is watching.
Of the 30 officers, 22 were arrested in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, with the remaining officers setting an arrest on April 18th.
According to Bonta, the charges stem from an investigation that began last year following the release of surveillance video from Los Padrinos in January 2024. This video was first obtained by the Los Angeles Times.
In the video, “Officers look like judges in the awards fight,” Bonta said at a virtual press conference Monday. “They don’t intervene, intervene, or protect their accusations… this was not an isolated incident.”
Related Stories
It was announced in May 2024 that a total of 66 probation officers had taken leave since the beginning of the year on a variety of issues on duty, on and on duty.
According to the department, of the 66 officers placed on leave, 39 are general misconduct issues, including excessive use of force, child danger or abuse, possession of contraband and negligent supervision. Additionally, 18 people took leave due to alleged sexual misconduct, while nine people were taken leave due to arrests that are unrelated to employment.
Fees announced Monday include the number of child abuse or risk, conspiracy to commit a crime, and batteries affecting 143 victims between the ages of 12 and 18, Bonta said.
The indictment also alleges aggravating factors, including the vulnerability of the victim and the position of trust or trust in the officer, which allowed them to commit the crime.
The indictment identifies 69 cases over the six months that have encouraged probation officers to fight each other under custody. According to the Attorney General’s Office, these so-called “gladiator fights” were a neglect of duty to protect officer care when the accusations were proven.
Following the indictment, the LA County Probation Officers’ Union provided a statement highlighting the rights of the defendants.
“All Americans are innocent until proven guilty,” said Stacy Ford, president of AFSCME Local 685. We do not tolerate illegal behavior. They also do all their strength to assist members as they navigate this difficult situation. ”
She continued. “Our members have worked under extremely difficult conditions. They are equipped and well equipped facilities that house individuals accused of murder, sexual assault, terrorism and other serious crimes. Despite these challenges, our professional peace officers continue to commit to maintaining the highest level of professionalism, while supporting the obligation to sworn in. We continue to advocate for the safety, rights and integrity of our members, ensuring that the appropriate process is supported by everyone.”
The LA County Probation Department issued a statement saying it would “fully support and praise” the AG for the charges.
“Our department sought law enforcement assistance when fraud was discovered, which ultimately led to an investigation into the AG office,” the agency said. “Since then, we have been fully working with our partners. At the same time, we have made our own internal enquiries. All current staff named for today’s indictment are taking leave without pay. Accountability is the basis of our mission and we have zero tolerance for the misconduct of peace officers, especially those who deal with youth in our system.
“Though these cases are extremely troubling, we believe this is an important step in rebuilding trust and strengthening our commitment to meaningful change that we propose in juvenile facilities. Our vision for them is in favor of the highest standards of professionalism and integrity of staff, prioritizing rehabilitation, support and positive outcomes of young people involved in justice. We are dedicated to fostering an environment that is safe, recoverable and aligns with best practices.”
Los Angeles County supervisor Janice Hahn said in a statement that he appreciated the charges the Attorney General.
“The youths in Los Padrino take care of us, not just our custody,” she said. “It is unacceptable that this responsibility probation officer will use the power to abuse these children. The probation officers involved in this abuse took leave last year and I will assist the Chief Probation Officer in firing convicted officers. This is just further evidence that the culture of the probation department needs to change dramatically.”
The Los Padrinos Boys Hall was plagued with operational problems as it quickly reopened in 2023 to reopen to accommodate detainees who had moved from the Central Boyle Hall in Boyle Heights and Barry J. Nidolph Juvenile Hall in Sylmer. Both were closed by the state.
Since it opened, Los Padrinos has suffered from understaffing, allegations of violence among detainees and attempted escape. In October, the state and community amendment boards overseeing detention facilities were deemed a rospadrino that was not suitable for housing youths, and gave them a deadline to correct a staffing defect on December 12 or close the facility.
However, the county continues to operate the facility despite state orders, undermining viable alternatives for housing young people detained there.
