Thirty LA County probation officers have been indicted on 69 counts of child abuse for allegedly orchestrating “gladiator fights” between detained juveniles, including forcing 12-year-olds to battle for the entertainment of officers who watched and laughed instead of intervening.
Key Takeaways
- Thirty officers from Los Angeles County Probation Department face criminal indictments for allegedly organizing and encouraging “gladiator fights” between detained youths in juvenile facilities.
- Shocking security footage captured probation officers standing by, laughing, and even instigating violence as a 17-year-old detainee was attacked by multiple youths at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.
- The charges include 69 counts of child abuse, conspiracy to commit a crime, and misdemeanor battery involving up to 140 youths aged 12-18 between July and December 2023.
- Officers reportedly created specific times and spaces for fights to occur, acting more like referees than caretakers of vulnerable youth in their custody.
- Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall was previously deemed “unsuitable” by state authorities and ordered closed, but continues to operate amid a staffing crisis and systemic failures.
Shocking Allegations of Organized Violence Against Detained Youth
In a disturbing case that exposes deep-rooted problems within Los Angeles County’s juvenile detention system, thirty probation officers now face serious criminal charges for allegedly organizing and encouraging violent “gladiator fights” between detained youths. California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the indictments following an extensive investigation that uncovered evidence of at least 69 orchestrated fights at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey. These fights reportedly involved children as young as 12 years old being pitted against each other while officers watched, laughed, and failed to intervene.
The investigation began in January after leaked security footage showed a 17-year-old detainee being systematically attacked by other juveniles while officers stood by. According to court documents, some officers did more than merely observe — they actively created environments where violence could flourish. Officer Taneha Brooks allegedly instigated fights, while another officer, Shawn Smyles, was seen on camera shaking hands with an assailant during an attack. The indictment characterizes these officers as behaving more like fight promoters than protectors of vulnerable youth.
Systemic Failures and Ongoing Crisis
The Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, where many of the alleged incidents occurred, has a troubled history. The facility had previously been deemed “unsuitable” to house youth and was ordered closed by the California Bureau of State and Community Corrections (BSCC). Despite this directive, the Los Angeles County Probation Department, with support from the Board of Supervisors, has continued operating the facility. This defiance of state authority highlights the deep dysfunction pervading the county’s juvenile detention 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.” – Los Angeles County Public Defender Ricardo Garcia
The Probation Department has been grappling with a severe staffing crisis, contributing to unsafe and chaotic conditions in juvenile halls across the county. Officers often work mandatory overtime shifts, leading to burnout and deteriorating standards of care. In response to the indictments, the department has suspended 14 officers directly connected to the incidents, with additional administrative actions likely pending the outcome of court proceedings. County officials acknowledge the gravity of the situation but have struggled to implement meaningful reforms.
Deliberate Organization of Youth Violence
According to Attorney General Bonta, the officers didn’t merely fail to prevent spontaneous fights — they deliberately created conditions for violence. “They often wanted them to happen at the beginning of the day, in a certain time, in a certain place. A space and a time was created for the fights, and their plan was for the fights to happen and for them to stand by as they occurred and not intervene so that they could happen. The intent was to manifest the fights.” – California Attorney General Rob Bonta
The investigation revealed that between July 1 and December 31, 2023, up to 140 youths between the ages of 12 and 18 were involved in these orchestrated confrontations. Rather than fulfilling their legal and moral obligations as caretakers, officers allegedly stood by as referees or audience members, effectively transforming a rehabilitation facility into a gladiatorial arena. The victim who triggered the investigation suffered severe injuries and has filed a notice of claim against the county, a precursor to a formal lawsuit seeking damages for the physical and psychological trauma endured.
Calls for Accountability and Systemic Reform
County Supervisor Janice Hahn didn’t mince words about what these indictments represent, stating, “THIS IS ONLY FURTHER PROOF THAT THE CULTURE OF OUR PROBATION DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO CHANGE DRAMATICALLY.”
Twenty-two of the thirty indicted officers were arraigned on Monday, with the remaining eight scheduled for court appearances in the coming days. While the officers’ union emphasized that “every American is innocent until proven guilty,” the shocking nature of the allegations has already prompted decisive action. The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office is actively seeking to remove all its juvenile clients from Los Padrinos, citing ongoing safety concerns. This case represents more than individual wrongdoing — it exposes a systemic failure to protect some of society’s most vulnerable members and underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reform of juvenile detention practices in Los Angeles County.
