4 Massachusetts State Police officials indicted in connection to
recruit's death in training
[February 10, 2026]
By MICHAEL CASEY
BOSTON (AP) — A supervisor and three instructors with a Massachusetts
State Police tactical unit were indicted in connection with the death of
a recruit following a boxing match during training, the official who led
an independent investigation into the case said Monday.
Enrique Delgado-Garcia, 25, died at a hospital Sept. 13, 2024, a day
after becoming unresponsive during a defensive tactics exercise in a
boxing ring and having a “medical crisis,” authorities said at the time.
David Meier, who was appointed by the Massachusetts attorney general to
investigate the death, said the supervisor and the instructors in the
Massachusetts State Police Academy's defensive tactics unit are being
charged with involuntary manslaughter and causing serious bodily injury
to a person participating in a training program. The supervisor also has
been charged with perjury in connection with her 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 and reckless acts and omissions that resulted in Enrique
Delgado-Garcia’s death.”
Meier said Delgado-Garcia first was concussed during “unauthorized,
unapproved and unsafe” sparring sessions. A day later, Delgado-Garcia
sustained “multiple blunt force injuries to the head and massive brain
bleeding" after academy staff failed to stop a training boxing match.
Those indicted include the supervisor, Sgt. Jennifer Penton, along with
Troopers Edwin Rodriguez, David Montanez and Casey LaMonte. They won’t
be arrested, and a date for their arraignment will be set in the future,
Meier said.
A lawyer for Penton declined to comment. Lawyers for Rodriguez and
Montaneza could not be reached for comment while it was unclear if
LaMonte has an attorney. Phone numbers could not be found for any of the
four.
Brian Williams, the president of the State Police Association of
Massachusetts, said “the veteran training staff indicted today are
entitled to the same presumption of innocence and due process guaranteed
to every citizen.”
"The Association stands firmly behind its members and intends to
vigorously defend them against these charges as we continue to work
collaboratively with the Department to strengthen and enhance training
standards," Williams said in a statement.
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People display signs with with a likeness of Massachusetts State
Police recruit Enrique Delgado-Garcia, who died following a State
Police Academy training exercise, at a protest outside the State
Police Academy graduation ceremony, Oct. 9, 2024, at the DCU Center,
in Worcester, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell told reporters that it
was important than an independent, impartial investigation be done 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 there has been progress in the case from the
beginning,” the family's attorney, Mike Wilcox, said. “Today is a big
day. The family is relieved that they are starting to see light at the
end of tunnel in terms of accountability here.”
Iván Espinoza-Madrigal, the executive director of Lawyers for Civil
Rights, said he was “heartened to see that the State Police will be held
accountable for the tragic loss of life.”
“Regardless of their background, all cadets at the police academy must
be safe and protected,” he said. “Creating a safe environment is vital
to ensuring that 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 AP investigation found at least 29 recruits died during
basic training at law enforcement academies around the country in the
last decade. Most died of exertion, dehydration, heatstroke and other
conditions tied to intense exercise — often on the first day of
training. Others died several weeks in, sometimes after suffering trauma
during boxing or use-of-force drills or collapsing during high-stakes
timed runs on hot days.
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