30 Probation Officers in Los Angeles County Charged in Connection with ‘Gladiator Fights’ at Juvenile Hall

LOS ANGELES—Following an investigation that uncovered instances of “youth-on-youth violence” at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, thirty probation officers from Los Angeles County have been charged with various offenses, including child abuse and endangerment, officials announced on Monday.

Prosecutors allege that the officers orchestrated “gladiator fights” among the detained youths at the troubled facility. State Attorney General Rob Bonta stated that between July and December 2023, 69 fights were allowed to take place among the young people housed there.

“The officers at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall have a responsibility to ensure the safety and welfare of those in their care,” Bonta remarked in a statement on Monday. “Instead, the officers named in today’s charges did the opposite—facilitating ‘gladiator fights’ when they should have intervened. This indictment—and the subsequent criminal charges—marks a significant step towards holding these officers accountable and addressing the shortcomings at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. Let these charges serve as a warning to anyone who abuses their authority: the California Department of Justice is monitoring, and we will ensure accountability.”

On Monday, twenty-two of the thirty officers were arraigned at Los Angeles Superior Court, with the remaining officers scheduled for arraignment on April 18.

Bonta explained that the charges resulted from an investigation initiated last year after the release of surveillance footage in January 2024. This video depicted a youth being assaulted by multiple other detainees while detention officers stood by, some appearing to laugh. The footage was first reported by the Los Angeles Times.

“The officers resembled referees at a boxing match,” Bonta said during a virtual news conference on Monday. “They did not intervene or protect the youth … this was not an isolated event.”

In May 2024, it was reported that since the beginning of the year, a total of 66 probation officers had been placed on leave due to various conduct-related issues.

The department indicated that of those 66 officers, 39 faced allegations of general misconduct, which encompasses suspected excessive force, child endangerment or abuse, possession of contraband, and negligent supervision. Furthermore, 18 officers were placed on leave due to suspected sexual misconduct, while nine were put on leave due to unrelated arrests.

The charges announced on Monday include counts of child abuse or endangerment, conspiracy to commit a crime, and battery affecting 143 victims aged 12 to 18, according to Bonta.

The indictment also emphasizes aggravating circumstances, including the victims’ vulnerability and the officers’ position of trust, which facilitated the commission of these offenses.

It identifies 69 incidents within a six-month timeframe where probation officers actively allowed and facilitated youth-on-youth fights. These “gladiator fights” led to physical harm among the involved youths and represent, if proven, a significant dereliction of the officers’ duty to protect those in their care, as stated by the Attorney General’s Office.

After the indictments were made public, the LA County Probation Officers Union released a statement emphasizing the accused members’ rights.

“Every American is innocent until proven guilty,” stated Stacy Ford, president of AFSCME Local 685. “Our members deserve this presumption of innocence and should be treated fairly and with due process, just as they provide for those in their custody. We do not condone any unlawful behavior, and we will support our members through this challenging time.”

Ford added, “Our members have been operating under extremely tough conditions—facing shortages and inadequately equipped facilities that house individuals accused of serious crimes, including murder, sexual assault, and terrorism. Despite these obstacles, our professional peace officers maintain their commitment to professionalism while fulfilling their sworn responsibilities. We will continue to advocate for our members’ safety, rights, and integrity while ensuring that due process is preserved for all.”

The L.A. County Probation Department expressed its full support for the AG regarding the indictments.

“Our department sought law enforcement assistance upon discovering the misconduct, which ultimately led to the AG’s office investigation,” the agency stated. “Since then, we have fully cooperated with our partners and have been conducting our own internal inquiries. All current staff named in the indictments have been placed on unpaid leave. Accountability is fundamental to our mission, and we maintain zero tolerance for any misconduct, particularly among those interacting with young people within our system.

“Although these incidents are profoundly concerning, we view this as an essential step toward restoring trust and reinforcing our commitment to the significant changes we are pursuing in our juvenile facilities. Our vision emphasizes rehabilitation, support, and positive outcomes for justice-involved youth, while also upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity for our personnel. We are continually dedicated to creating an environment that is safe, restorative, and aligned with best practices.”

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn issued a statement expressing her appreciation for the attorney general’s decision to file charges.

“The youths in Los Padrinos are not merely in our custody; they are under our care,” she emphasized. “It is intolerable that probation officers entrusted with this duty would misuse their authority to mistreat these children. The officers implicated in this misconduct were placed on leave last year, and I support the Chief Probation Officer in terminating any officer found guilty. This underscores the urgent need for a fundamental shift in the culture of our probation department.”

Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall has faced persistent operational challenges since its rapid reopening in 2023 to accommodate detainees relocated from Central Juvenile Hall in Boyle Heights and Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar, both of which were ordered closed by the state.

Since reopening, Los Padrinos has encountered staffing shortages, allegations of violence among detainees, and escape attempts. In October, the Board of State and Community Corrections, which oversees detention facilities, deemed Los Padrinos unfit for housing youth, giving the county a December 12 deadline to resolve staffing issues or face closure.

Nevertheless, the county has continued to operate the facility despite the state’s directive, citing a lack of viable alternatives for housing the detained youth.