Thirty Los Angeles County probation officers face criminal charges for allegedly organizing and encouraging violent “gladiator fights” between teens in juvenile detention centers, exposing a culture of neglect that has endangered the lives of vulnerable youth in state care.
Key Insights
- Thirty LA County probation officers face 69 counts of child abuse, one count of conspiracy, and one count of misdemeanor battery for allegedly staging fights between detained youth.
- Security footage showed officers standing by, and in some cases encouraging, a violent assault on a 17-year-old at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.
- The fights reportedly occurred at least 69 times between July and December 2023, involving up to 140 youths aged 12 to 18.
- Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall had previously been deemed “unsuitable” to house youth by state regulators but continued operating despite closure orders.
- The scandal highlights systemic issues within LA County’s Probation Department, including severe staff shortages and a problematic institutional culture.
Organized Violence in Youth Detention
The California Department of Justice has indicted thirty Los Angeles County probation officers following an investigation into what state Attorney General Rob Bonta termed “gladiator fights” at juvenile detention facilities. The officers face multiple charges including 69 counts of child abuse, conspiracy to commit a crime, and misdemeanor battery. The investigation began after authorities obtained security footage showing probation officers allowing and even encouraging violent attacks between detained youth at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey.
According to the indictment, the officers allegedly organized and facilitated these fights, creating specific times and spaces for them to occur. Rather than intervening to protect the youth in their care, the officers reportedly acted more like referees or audience members, with some even congratulating the attackers. These fights reportedly occurred at least 69 times between July and December 2023, involving children as young as 12 years old.
Disturbing Evidence of Misconduct
The investigation began after security footage revealed a particularly disturbing incident involving a 17-year-old victim who was severely beaten while probation officers looked on. One officer, Taneha Brooks, is alleged to have instigated the fights, while another, Shawn Smyles, was seen shaking hands with an assailant during an attack. The victim has filed a notice of claim, which precedes a lawsuit, after suffering significant injuries.
“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.
Following the initial discovery, the Probation Department suspended 14 officers related to the incident. Twenty-two of the thirty indicted officers were arraigned on Monday, with the remaining eight scheduled for arraignment in the coming days. The case represents one of the largest mass indictments of law enforcement officers in recent California history.
Systemic Failures at Los Padrinos
Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall has been plagued by problems for years. The facility had been previously ordered closed by the California Bureau of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) after being deemed “unsuitable” to house youth. Despite this order, the LA County Probation Department, with support from the County Board of Supervisors, has continued operating the facility, raising serious questions about oversight and accountability in the juvenile justice system.
“The probation system and its underlying culture are broken. 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,” said Los Angeles County Public Defender Ricardo Garcia.
The scandal comes amid an ongoing staffing crisis within the Probation Department that has led to unsafe and chaotic conditions in juvenile halls. The Public Defender’s office is now seeking to remove its clients from Los Padrinos, citing serious safety concerns. County Supervisor Janice Hahn has emphasized that the indictments further demonstrate the need for dramatic cultural change within the department, which has faced numerous allegations of misconduct and abuse over the years.
Legal Proceedings and Accountability
As the legal proceedings move forward, probation officer unions have cautioned against rushing to judgment. Stacy Ford, representing the probation officers, stated, “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.”
The Probation Department has issued statements pledging cooperation with investigators. “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,” said department spokesperson Vicky Waters. The case continues to develop as authorities investigate whether similar incidents have occurred at other juvenile facilities in Los Angeles County.
