Thirty Los Angeles County probation officers stand indicted for orchestrating “gladiator fights” between juveniles in detention, raising disturbing questions about who is really protecting our most vulnerable youth.
At a Glance
- Thirty LA County probation officers face criminal indictments for allegedly organizing and encouraging fights between detained juveniles
- Charges include 69 counts of child abuse, conspiracy to commit a crime, and misdemeanor battery
- Security footage showed officers standing by and even laughing as youths assaulted a 17-year-old at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall
- The investigation revealed at least 69 “gladiator fights” involving up to 140 youths aged 12-18 during the second half of 2023
- Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall was previously deemed “unsuitable” to house youth by state authorities but continues to operate
Officers Accused of Organizing Youth Fights
California’s Department of Justice has uncovered a shocking pattern of misconduct in Los Angeles County’s juvenile detention system. Following an extensive investigation, thirty probation officers now face criminal indictments for allegedly facilitating and encouraging violent confrontations between detained youth. The charges include 69 counts of child abuse, one count of conspiracy to commit a crime, and one count of misdemeanor battery.
According to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the officers created specific times and spaces for what he called “gladiator fights” at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey. The investigation began in January after authorities received leaked security footage of one such incident. Twenty-two of the defendants were arraigned on Monday, with the remaining eight scheduled for arraignment soon.
Disturbing Video Evidence
The investigation was triggered by security footage showing officers failing to intervene during a violent attack on a 17-year-old detainee. Rather than protecting the youth, some officers allegedly instigated the violence while others watched and laughed. One officer, Taneha Brooks, is specifically accused of orchestrating fights, while another, Shawn Smyles, was captured on video shaking hands with an assailant during an attack.
“The video shows a minor in the detention center being attacked by a series of other minors who attack him one by one as detention officers stand by watching,” Bonta said during a press conference.
The victim suffered severe injuries and has filed a notice of claim, a precursor to a lawsuit. The Probation Department suspended 14 officers related to the incident, but the investigation ultimately revealed a much wider pattern of misconduct.
Systemic Failures and Cover-Ups
The charges against these officers highlight deeper systemic issues within Los Angeles County’s juvenile detention system. Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall has faced multiple problems, including being deemed “unsuitable” to house youth by the California Bureau of State and Community Corrections. Despite this designation and orders to close the facility, the Probation Department has continued operations with support from the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.
“The probation system and its underlying culture are broken,” Los Angeles County Public Defender Ricardo Garcia said. “Accountability for those who have failed to protect our youth is long overdue—there is no justice in a system that abuses the very youth it is entrusted to care for.”
The Public Defender’s office is now seeking to remove its clients from Los Padrinos, citing serious safety concerns. Meanwhile, the Probation Department faces a staffing crisis that has contributed to unsafe and chaotic conditions in juvenile halls throughout the county. These facilities have struggled with inadequate supervision, violence, and allegations of mistreatment for years.
Officials React to Indictments
County Supervisor Janice Hahn expressed serious concern about the indictments, emphasizing in all-capital letters that “THIS IS ONLY FURTHER PROOF THAT THE CULTURE OF OUR PROBATION DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO CHANGE DRAMATICALLY.” Her statement highlights the growing recognition among county leadership that fundamental reforms are necessary.
The officers’ labor representative, Stacy Ford, urged due process and fairness, stating, “Every American is innocent until proven guilty. Our members deserve to be treated with fairness and due process, just as they provide to those in their custody. We do not condone any unlawful behavior, and we will do everything in our power to support our members as they navigate this difficult situation.”
Probation Department spokesperson Vicky Waters acknowledged the actions taken against the officers, saying, “For our part, we placed several officers on leave as a result of troubling incidents and allegations at Los Padrinos. We have and will continue to work and cooperate with our law enforcement partners. Accountability is a cornerstone of our mission, and we have zero tolerance for misconduct of any peace officers.”
