BOSTON (AP) — A supervisor with the Massachusetts State Police tactical unit and three instructors have been indicted in the death of a recruit following a boxing match during training, the official leading an independent investigation into the case said Monday.
Enrique Delgado-Garcia, 25, died in a hospital on Sept. 13, 2024, one day after he became unresponsive and suffered a “medical crisis” while practicing defensive tactics in the boxing ring, authorities said at the time.
David Meyer, who was appointed by the Massachusetts Attorney General to investigate the deaths, said the director and instructor of the defensive tactics unit at the Massachusetts State Police Academy were charged with manslaughter and inflicting serious bodily injury to a person participating in the training program. The supervisor was also charged with perjury during grand jury testimony.
“Each of these individuals owed a duty of care to Enrique Delgado-Garcia,” Meir told reporters. “Each of them committed a series of wanton, reckless acts and omissions that resulted in the death of Enrique Delgado-Garcia.”
Meyer said Delgado-Garcia first suffered the concussion during an “unauthorized, unsanctioned and unsafe” boxing match. A day later, Delgado-Garcia suffered “multiple blunt force injuries to the head and massive brain hemorrhage” after academy staff failed to stop a boxing training match.
Those charged include supervisor Sgt. Jennifer Penton and Soldiers Edwin Rodriguez, David Montanez and Casey LaMonte. Meyer said they will not be arrested and arraignment dates will be set at a future date.
Penton’s attorney declined to comment. Attorneys for Rodriguez and Montanessa could not be reached for comment, and it was unclear whether Lamont had an attorney. Phone numbers for any of the four could not be found.
“The veteran trainers charged today are entitled to the same presumption of innocence and due process guarantees as every citizen,” said Brian Williams, president of the Massachusetts Police Association.
“The association stands firmly behind its members and intends to vigorously defend them against these allegations, and we will continue to work with the department to strengthen and improve training standards,” Williams said in a statement.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell told reporters that an independent and impartial investigation into Delgado Garcia’s death is more important than that. An investigation was launched after multiple advocacy groups and Delgado-Garcia’s family and friends called for those responsible for his death to be held accountable.
“The family is relieved that there has been progress in the case from the beginning,” said the family’s attorney, Mike Wilcox. “Today is a big day. The family is relieved because they are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of accountability.”
Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, executive director of Lawyers for Civil Rights, said he was “pleased to see that state police will be held accountable for the tragic loss of life.”
“All police academy cadets, regardless of background, must be safe and protected,” he said. “Creating a safe environment is critical to ensuring our public institutions reflect the communities they serve. The grieving Delgado-Garcia family deserves justice and this tragedy must lead to meaningful reforms.”
Last year, an Associated Press investigation found that at least 29 recruits had died during basic training at law enforcement academies across the country over the past decade. Most people die from exertion, dehydration, heatstroke and other illnesses related to strenuous exercise—often on the first day of training. Others died weeks later, sometimes after suffering trauma during boxing or force training or collapsing during high-stakes timed runs in hot weather.