Thirty officers at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, California are facing serious criminal charges for allegedly orchestrating and encouraging violent “gladiator fights” among detained minors, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Monday.
The California Department of Justice launched an investigation in January 2024 after receiving leaked footage showing a minor being repeatedly attacked by other youths while detention officers stood by, some even laughing and shaking hands.
“They often wanted them to happen at the beginning of the day, in a certain time, in a certain place. A space and a time was created for the fights, and their plan was for the fights to happen and for them to stand by as they occurred and not intervene so that they could happen. The intent was to manifest the fights,” Bonta stated.
“They did have multiple gladiator-type fights between individuals with probation officers employed by LA County right there in the room watching, not intervening, not keeping the young people they were charged with taking care of safe.”
According to Bonta, these brutal fights occurred at least 69 times between July and December 2023, involving up to 140 youths aged 12 to 18. Instead of protecting those in their care, the accused officers reportedly facilitated the violence, turning the juvenile detention center into a battleground rather than a place of rehabilitation.
The charges, which include child abuse and endangerment, highlight a shocking failure of responsibility within the juvenile justice system. Authorities say this investigation remains ongoing, and additional legal action may follow.
