The four Massachusetts State Police officers who have been charged with manslaughter in connection to the death of a trooper trainee Enrique Delgado-Garcia have had their certifications suspended.
The Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) suspended the certifications of Sergeant Jennifer Penton, Trooper Edwin Rodriguez, Trooper David Montanez, and Trooper Casey LaMonte on Monday.
The suspension comes after AG Andrea Joy Campbell and Attorney David Meier, who was hired to complete an independent investigation into Delgado-Garcia’s death, announced charges against the four officers.
Delgado-Garcia died a day after being knocked unconscious during an academy training exercise in September 2024.
According to Meier, he had exhibited concussion symptoms from an unsupervised fight the day prior to the knock out.
All four officers were members of the Defense Tactics Unit at the State Police Academy, and would have supervised and/or interacted with Delgado-Garcia during his training.
At least two of the officers had significant athletic experience. LaMonte is one of the founders Massachusetts Police Ju Jitsu, according to the organization’s website, and Rodriguez was a professional boxer.
The evidence presented to the grand jury found their “wanton and reckless” behavior led to Delgado-Garcia’s death, Meier said.
In addition to the involuntary manslaughter charge, they also face charges of causing serious bodily injury while participating in a training program involving physical exercise.
Penton, the supervisor of the unit, also faces a perjury charge for allegedly lying to the grand jury about when she became aware of Delgado-Garcia’s concussion symptoms.
She was also the officer who responded to a fatal cruiser crash in 2023 involving another trooper, according to a police report obtained by the Herald. Sgt. Scott Quigley’s blood alcohol level was allegedly above the legal limit at the time of the crash. The police report, written by Penton, said that Quigley was issued “a written warning… for a Marked Lanes violation.”
After a police officer has been charged with a felony, POST automatically suspends their certification.
“The Respondent is hereby directed to surrender, and the Respondent’s agency is directed to collect, without delay, any agency-issued credentials and equipment that promote and support the performance of functions associated with service as a law enforcement officer,” the suspension notifications say, “including but not limited to, any uniform, badge, firearm, assigned cruiser, and use-of force instruments, such as tasers.”
The officers were not arrested but have been issued summons to appear in court for their arraignments.
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