30 The test officers from the county are accused of allowing “gladiator fights” in the Young Hall

Thirty detention officers in Los Angeles County are experiencing charges – including the danger of the child, abuse and battery – coming from accusations that they allowed young people from the Juvenile Hall to participate in “gladiator fights” two years ago, according to state authorities.

In a The indictment of the great uncertain juryThe California General Prosecutor’s Office said the officers “allowed and, in some cases, encouraged” 69 fights between young people from Los Padrinos Hall in Downey, during a six -month period, in 2023.

Over 140 victims between the ages of 12 and 18 were affected.

Most of the defendants were notified on Monday at the upper court of the county, the Attorney General said. The rest is expected to be arranged next month.

“The Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall officers have the duty to ensure the safety and well-being of those in their care,” said Prosecutor Rob Bontta in a statement. “On the other hand, the accused officers today did the exact opposite – the supervision of” gladiator struggles “when they should have intervened.”

Bontta said that the submission of accusations was an important step in holding the officers and “approaching the deficiencies” at Los Padrinos. The state regulatory authorities have repeatedly cited the probation department for the lack of staff at the unit, which they say has led to the lack of programming for young people and missed medical appointments.

“I found that the current staff number does not allow all the activities, operations, programs and functions necessary and to ensure the safety of young people and staff,” said the State and Community Correction Council in a letter from December 10 to the Probation Department.

In a statement by Email at the Laist, on Monday, the probation department of Los Angeles county said that all the personnel named was placed on leave without payment.

“While these incidents are deeply disturbing, we believe that this marks an important step in rebuilding and strengthening our commitment to the significant changes we propose in our minor installations,” said the probation department.

The county supervisor from LA, Janice Hahn, whose district includes Los Padrinos, said that it is “unacceptable” that probation officers will use their power to abuse young.

“This is only additional proof that the culture of our probation department has to change dramatically,” she said.

Details from the indictment

California justice department said it has launched its investigation After the video appeared last year of the probation officers from Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall who did not intervene while a group of young people beat a 17 -year -old.

The video seems to show more young people who attack the 17-year-old-by hitting him and hitting him while the test officers look. An officer seems to shake the hand of one of the attackers, according to the materials published by Los Angeles Times.

Lausist asked the Attorney General why the accusations were submitted now, when the alleged incidents happened in 2023. The office responded with a statement that mentioned that it is “a complex case” that involves several victims and defendants.

“As with all our cases, our office has conducted a detailed and intense investigation,” the office said.

The 41-page indictment published on Monday lists 71 accusations against the major officers for abuse or danger to children-and special statements that victims were particularly vulnerable and that the accused took advantage of their trusted positions.

He also listed nine “excessive acts”, Doj claims that the officers committed, including allowing young people to fight each other in the minor room on several occasions, between July 2023 and December 2023, saying new employment that the struggles will take place and told them that they would “follow” when nothing happened.

Officers Shawn Smyles, Taneha Brooks and Nancy Sostra are specifically mentioned in those excessive acts, according to the indictment. The document says that the three defendants allowed young people to fight on several occasions, including one in which one of the young people supported a broken nose.

The indictment accuses Smyles of telling young people to refuse the treatment from the medical assistants when they were sent to the medical unit.

Laistor failed to reach lawyers for the defendants on a late Monday.

Stacy Ford, the president of the Union representing the county probation officers, issued a statement that did not speak directly with the accusations, but said that its members worked under difficult conditions.

“Our members have worked under extremely difficult conditions-underestimated and without equipment, who host the people accused of murder, sexual assault, terrorism and other serious offenses,” Ford, as reported by The Los Angeles Times. “Despite these challenges, our professional peace officers remain employed to maintain the highest level of professionalism, while maintaining their sweetened duties.”

A disturbed facility

The announcement of the accusations comes as a judge is still decide whether the county should be forced to move hundreds of young people sheltered there in other locations.

The state and community correction council found last year that the county probation department had not repeatedly succeeded in meeting the minimum staff requirements at Los Padrinos, which meant that young people held there were limited in their rooms too long and missing by medical appointments.

The Board of Directors gave the department until December 12 to move young people from the unit, but the county did not fulfill the deadline.

During an hearing on February 14, the judge of the Superior Court Miguel Espinoza heard other comments of the officials of the probation department, then set a new judicial date for April 18, when he could issue a decision.

defendants

Bontta’s office said that 22 defendants were tried on Monday. They were expecting to be pleaded guilty for the charges. The remaining eight have judgment data scheduled for April 18.

Laistor has not yet been able to determine if all the defendants have lawyers.