State Police Academy Officials Charged After Recruit Dies in Harsh Training
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and Independent Counsel David Meier announced today that an independent investigation into the death of Massachusetts State Trooper recruit Enrique Delgado-Garcia has concluded — and it has resulted in criminal indictments against several members of the Massachusetts State Police Training Academy.
Delgado-Garcia died in September 2024 after suffering devastating head injuries during boxing-related training exercises at the academy.
“Trooper Enrique Delgado-Garcia should be alive today, fulfilling his dream of serving as a Massachusetts State Trooper,” Campbell said in a statement. “Those responsible for training recruits have a duty to protect them from preventable harm.”
A Long and Independent Investigation
Attorney David Meier, appointed by Campbell as an independent investigator with full authority to make charging decisions, said the inquiry was conducted professionally, thoroughly, and without outside influence.
Over the course of nine months, a Special Statewide Grand Jury heard testimony from more than 150 witnesses — most of them State Police officers — and reviewed hundreds of exhibits related to academy training procedures and conduct.
Meier described the investigation as exhaustive, noting that silence during the process was intentional due to ethical and legal obligations.
Unauthorized Sparring and a Fatal Match
According to Meier, evidence revealed that academy staff engaged in a series of reckless acts and omissions tied to “Defensive Tactics” and “Physical Confrontation” training.
In the days leading up to Delgado-Garcia’s death, trainees reportedly participated in unauthorized and unsupervised boxing-related sparring exercises.
On September 11, Delgado-Garcia suffered concussion-like symptoms during training. The next morning, September 12, a competitive boxing match between recruits escalated further — and staff failed to intervene or stop it.
Delgado-Garcia suffered multiple blunt-force injuries to the head and massive brain bleeding. He died the following day, September 13.
Four Officials Indicted
A Middlesex County Grand Jury returned indictments against four Massachusetts State Police officials connected to the academy’s Defensive Tactics Unit:
- Sergeant Jennifer Penton
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- Causing Serious Bodily Injury During Training
- Perjury
- Trooper Edwin Rodriguez
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- Causing Serious Bodily Injury During Training
- Trooper David Montanez
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- Causing Serious Bodily Injury During Training
- Trooper Casey LaMonte
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- Causing Serious Bodily Injury During Training
Meier said the individuals had direct responsibility for the physical training exercises and owed a duty of care to recruits under their supervision.
Perjury Charge Filed
In addition to the training-related charges, Sergeant Penton faces a perjury indictment after allegedly giving false testimony under oath regarding when she first learned of Delgado-Garcia’s concussion symptoms.
No Evidence of Malice or Targeting
Meier emphasized that there is no evidence Delgado-Garcia was targeted or that anyone acted with premeditation or malice.
Instead, he said the case reflects systemic failures, reckless conduct, and a breakdown in oversight during training.
Accountability Without Broad Condemnation
Campbell stressed that the investigation and indictments are not a condemnation of law enforcement as a whole, but rather an effort to ensure accountability when preventable harm occurs.
“We can honor those who serve and protect our communities,” she said, “while also ensuring accountability within the system, especially when someone dies.”
What Happens Next
The four defendants have not been arrested. Meier has requested that the court issue summonses for arraignment hearings expected to take place in the near future.
All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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