BOSTON — A supervisor and three instructors with a Massachusetts State Police tactical unit have been charged in connection with the incident Death of a recruit After a boxing match during training, the official who led an independent investigation into the case said Monday.
enrique delgado garcia, Authorities said at the time that the 25-year-old died in hospital on September 13, 2024, a day after he became unresponsive during a defensive tactics drill in a boxing ring and went into a “medical crisis.”
A supervisor and instructors at the Massachusetts State Police Academy’s defensive tactics unit are charged with involuntary manslaughter and causing serious bodily injury to a person participating in a training program, said David Meyer, who was appointed by the Massachusetts Attorney General to investigate the death. The supervisor was also charged with perjury in connection with her testimony before the grand jury.
“Every one of these individuals owes a duty of care to Enrique Delgado Garcia,” Meir told reporters. “Each committed a series of reckless and reckless acts and omissions that led to the death of Enrique Delgado Garcia.”
Delgado-Garcia first suffered her concussion during the “unauthorized, unapproved and unsafe” sparring sessions, Mayer said. A day later, Delgado Garcia suffered “multiple head injuries and severe brain bleeding” after academy staff failed to stop a boxing training match.
The defendants include Supervisory Sgt. Jennifer Benton, with Troopers Edwin Rodriguez, David Montanez and Casey Lamont. They will not be arrested, and arraignments will be scheduled in the future, Meyer said.
Benton’s attorney declined to comment. Attorneys for Rodriguez and Montañez could not be reached for comment, while it was not clear if Lamonte had an attorney. No phone numbers were found for any of the four.
“The veteran training crew charged today is entitled to the same presumption of innocence and due process afforded to every citizen,” said Brian Williams, president of the Massachusetts State Police Association.
“The Association stands steadfastly behind its members and intends to vigorously defend them against these accusations as we continue to work collaboratively with the Department to promote and advance training standards,” Williams said in a statement.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell told reporters that it was important to conduct an independent and impartial investigation into Delgado Garcia’s death. The investigation follows calls from several advocacy groups and Delgado Garcia’s family and friends for those responsible for his death to be held accountable.
“The family is relieved that progress has been made in the case from the beginning,” said family attorney Mike Wilcox. “Today is a great day. The family is relieved to see the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of accountability here.”
Ivan Espinoza Madrigal, executive director of Lawyers for Civil Rights, said he was “relieved to see that state police will be held accountable for the tragic loss of life.”
“Regardless of their background, all students at the police academy should be safe and protected,” he said. “Creating a safe environment is vital to ensuring that our public institutions reflect the communities they serve. Delgado Garcia’s grieving family deserves justice, and this tragedy must lead to meaningful reforms.”
Last year, A Investigation in AP It found that at least 29 recruits have died during basic training at law enforcement academies across the country in the past decade. Most died from exertion, dehydration, heat stroke and other conditions associated with intense exercise, often on the first day of training. Others died several weeks later, Sometimes after exposure to trauma During boxing training, applying force, or collapsing during high-risk timed running on hot days.