State suspends certifications for Mass. State Police members charged in recruit’s death
The state's police accountability agency suspended the law enforcement certifications of three Massachusetts State Police troopers and a lieutenant, a day after indictments charging them with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of a recruit were unsealed .
The Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, Commission suspended certifications Tuesday for Lt. Jennifer Penton and troopers Edwin Rodriguez, David Montanez and Casey LaMonte . Any police officer charged with a felony automatically has their certification suspended in Massachusetts.
Penton was a supervisor at the State Police academy and Rodriguez, Montanez and LaMonte were full-time instructors there. All four are accused of "wanton and reckless" conduct leading to the death of Enrique Delgado-Garcia , who died after becoming unresponsive during a training exercise in September 2024.
Delgado-Garcia sustained concussion-like symptoms during an "unauthorized, unapproved, and unsupervised" boxing-related sparring exercise on Sept. 11, said attorney David Meier, the independent investigator appointed to look into Delgado-Garcia's death.
The next day, he was knocked out during a competitive boxing match with a fellow recruit during training activities and sustained multiple blunt force injuries to the head and massive brain bleeding.
Meier blamed "the failure of Academy staff to intervene" and stop the boxing match for Delgado-Garcia's death. Delgado-Garcia died on Sept. 13, a day after he sustained the head injuries.
Attorney General Andrea Campbell said Delgado-Garcia's sparring partner won't face charges.
Penton, Rodriguez, Montanez and LaMonte are all charged with involuntary manslaughter and causing serious bodily injury to a person participating in a training program involving physical exercise. Penton faces an additional charge of perjury — Meier said Monday Penton gave false testimony to the grand jury investigating the case about when she learned of Delgado-Garcia's concussion symptoms.
All four were issued summonses after the indictments were unsealed and will not be arrested, Meier said. It is not clear if they are still active members of the State Police.
In a statement, State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble said Monday was a "difficult and somber day" for the 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.
Noble noted that the agency implemented a series of reforms to the academy in the wake of Delgado-Garcia's death, including commissioning a review by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, which is "nearing completion."
"Our work continues with focus and resolve, guided by Enrique's memory, and committed to the highest standards of professionalism, leadership, and training. We will remain engaged with the legal process and will reserve further comment at this time to protect its integrity," Noble said.
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