Thirty Los Angeles County detention services officers are facing criminal charges for allegedly facilitating “gladiator fights” between youths at a County juvenile hall.
The indictment accuses the officers of allowing 69 fights between July and December 2023, involving more than 140 minors between the ages of 12 and 18, according to the California Department of Justice. Authorities launched an investigation after a leaked video in January 2024 exposed the alleged fights.
Twenty-two officers were arraigned Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, while the remaining eight are scheduled to appear on April 18. The officers face multiple charges, including child endangerment, conspiracy, and battery.
“These officers had a duty to protect youth in their care. Instead, they oversaw and encouraged violence,” Bonta said in a statement, calling the indictments a critical step toward accountability.
The L.A. County Probation Department, which operates the facility, said it fully supports the investigation and has placed all involved officers on unpaid leave. The department emphasized its commitment to accountability and stated it had initiated its own internal inquiries.
Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall has faced ongoing issues and is under a state order to close. However, L.A. County supervisors have taken emergency action to keep the facility open due to a shortage of alternative juvenile detention centers.
