4 Massachusetts State Police troopers charged in recruit Enrique Delgado-Garcia's death

Four Massachusetts State Police troopers have been criminally charged following an investigation into the 2024 death of state police recruit Enrique Delgado-Garcia. The investigation determined that Delgado-Garcia died from a massive brain bleed suffered during an unauthorized boxing match in New Braintree that allegedly happened under the supervision of the four instructors.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and attorney David Meier announced the charges during a news conference Monday.

Meier was appointed as independent investigator to review the facts surrounding Delgado-Garcia's death. Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early recused himself from the investigation because Delgado-Garcia worked in his office as a victim witness advocate.   

Massachusetts State Police instructors charged

A grand jury met for nine months and heard from more than 150 witnesses before indicting a supervisor and three full-time instructors. The four were not arrested but will be summonsed to court. Meier said their wanton and reckless conduct and failure to stop the boxing match led to Delgado-Garcia's serious injuries and death. 

Meier also said there was no evidence that Delgado-Garcia was targeted in any way or that anyone harbored any personal animosity toward him.

Sgt. Jennifer Penton is charged with involuntary manslaughter, causing serious bodily injury to a person participating in a training program involving physical exercise, and perjury. Meier said Penton, a supervisor, gave repeated false answers during the investigation.

Trooper Edwin Rodriguez, Trooper David Montanez and Trooper Casey LaMonte are each charged with involuntary manslaughter and causing serious bodily injury to a person participating in a training program involving physical exercise.

All four were suspended Monday, according to the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission.

"Just as they protect us, it is our responsibility to ensure that our inspiring officers at the Massachusetts Police Training Academy are protected from preventable harms and to seek accountability when serious incidents occur," Campbell said. "There is nothing more serious than the loss of a life. We can both honor the men and women who serve while also still ensuring accountability within a system, especially when someone dies."  

Death of Enrique Delgado-Garcia

Meier said Delgado-Garcia suffered concussion-like symptoms on September 11, 2024 during "unauthorized, unapproved and unsupervised" sparring exercises.

Delgado-Garcia suffered massive brain bleeds the next morning during a competitive boxing match with a fellow trainee, Meier said. A day later, Delgado-Garcia died.

The WBZ-TV I-Team first broke the news of Delgado-Garcia's death and reported that his blunt force injuries were suffered during a boxing exercise.

Delgado-Garcia was five months into his training to become a state trooper at the time of his death.

"He was a son, a brother, an uncle and a friend. Enrique should be alive today," Campbell said on Monday.

The 25-year old's death sparked an independent investigation and led to reforms at the State Police Academy. That included the suspension of the boxing program.   

Michael Wilcox is an attorney representing the Delgado-Garcia family.

"They didn't protect him. They didn't have measures in place to protect him They ignored his condition. And then one of them at least lied about it in front of the grand jury," Wilcox said. "It's not a joyous day for them by any means. I think they're just relieved that it's finally moving in a meaningful way."

Enrique's family told the I-Team last year, they wanted answers and justice.

"They will attend the arraignment, which is not scheduled quite yet," Wilcox said. "They will attend every major hearing in the criminal case, and you know, they'll be there. They want Enrique to be heard, and I think that they'll make sure that that happens."

The criminal case could take more than a year to resolve. Wilcox said he is looking forward to meeting with state officials in the hopes of avoiding having to file a civil lawsuit. 

Massachusetts State Police response

Massachusetts State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble released a statement Monday afternoon after the charges were announced.

"Today is a difficult and somber day for the Massachusetts State Police as we continue to understand the events that led to the tragic death of Trooper Enrique Delgado Garcia. As a law enforcement agency, we respect the legal process and have fully cooperated with the independent investigation while remaining focused on our mission and continuing the important work of keeping Massachusetts communities safe," Noble said.

The colonel said that since Delgado-Garcia's death, the department has taken several steps to strengthen training at its academy.

Noble said state police commissioned an independent review by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). That review is nearing completion, Noble said.