State Police Officials Indicted for Involuntary Manslaughter

MA Attorney General Press Releases

Filed September 13th, 2024

Detected February 10th, 2026

Summary

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell announced that a grand jury has indicted four Massachusetts State Police officials on charges including involuntary manslaughter and perjury in connection with the death of Trooper Enrique Delgado-Garcia during training on September 13, 2024. The indictments follow an independent investigation into the circumstances of the trooper's death.

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What changed

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and independent investigator Attorney David Meier announced that a Middlesex County Grand Jury has returned indictments against four Massachusetts State Police officials: Sergeant Jennifer Penton, Trooper Edwin Rodriguez, Trooper David Montanez, and Trooper Casey LaMonte. The charges include involuntary manslaughter, causing serious bodily injury to a person participating in a training program involving physical exercise, and perjury. These indictments stem from an independent investigation into the death of State Trooper Enrique Delgado-Garcia, who sustained fatal injuries while training on September 13, 2024.

These charges represent a significant enforcement action by state authorities holding law enforcement officials accountable for alleged misconduct leading to a trainee's death. Regulated entities, particularly those involved in training or supervision of personnel in high-risk environments, should review their internal policies and procedures to ensure compliance with safety protocols and prevent similar incidents. While these are allegations, the indictments signal a commitment to accountability and may lead to increased scrutiny of training practices within law enforcement agencies. The legal proceedings will now move forward, with all defendants presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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Sydney Weiser, Press Secretary

Phone

Call Sydney Weiser, Press Secretary at (617) 727-2543

Online

Email Sydney Weiser, Press Secretary at Sydney.Heiberger@mass.gov

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and Attorney David Meier today announced that the independent investigation into the death of Massachusetts State Trooper Enrique Delgado-Garcia has concluded.

AG Campbell released the following statement:

“Trooper Enrique Delgado-Garcia should be alive today, fulfilling his dream of serving as a Massachusetts State Trooper. I first thank his family and the public for their tremendous patience. I am grateful for Attorney David Meier’s diligent and extensive efforts to follow the facts and seek accountability for those responsible for Enrique’s death.

State police trainees selflessly commit themselves to public service, and those responsible for training them have a duty to protect them from preventable harm. In no way is this investigation, and the charges it has yielded, a condemnation of all law enforcement. We can both honor the men and women who serve and protect our communities, often in difficult and dangerous circumstances, while also ensuring accountability within the system, especially when someone dies.”

At today’s press conference, Attorney David Meier, who was appointed by AG Campell as an independent investigator and had full autonomy and authority to make charging decisions, announced that a Middlesex County Grand Jury has returned the following indictments against four Massachusetts State Police officials:

Sergeant Jennifer Penton

Involuntary Manslaughter (G. L. c. 265, § 13)
Causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Person Participating in a Training Program Involving Physical Exercise (G. L. c. 265, § 40)
Perjury (G. L. c. 268, § 1)
Trooper Edwin Rodriguez
Involuntary Manslaughter (G. L. c. 265, § 13)
Causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Person Participating in a Training Program Involving Physical Exercise (G. L. c. 265, § 40)
Trooper David Montanez
Involuntary Manslaughter (G. L. c. 265, § 13)
Causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Person Participating in a Training Program Involving Physical Exercise (G. L. c. 265, § 40)
Trooper Casey LaMonte
Involuntary Manslaughter (G. L. c. 265, § 13)
Causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Person Participating in a Training Program Involving Physical Exercise (G. L. c. 265, § 40)
Attorney Meier’s remarks as prepared for delivery at today’s press conference may be found here.

On September 13, 2024, Trooper Delgado-Garcia died as a result of injuries he sustained while training to become an MSP Trooper. Death investigations are typically handled by local district attorney’s offices, but in this case, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early appropriately determined that his office had a conflict of interest, as Trooper Delgado-Garcia formerly worked in that office as a victim witness advocate. Shortly after Trooper Delgado-Garcia's death and at the request of DA Early, AG Campbell appointed an independent investigator, Attorney Meier, to review the facts surrounding Trooper Delgado-Garcia's death.

These charges are allegations, and all defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sydney Weiser, Press Secretary

Phone

Call Sydney Weiser, Press Secretary at (617) 727-2543

Online

Email Sydney Weiser, Press Secretary at Sydney.Heiberger@mass.gov

Sydney Weiser, Press Secretary

Phone

Call Sydney Weiser, Press Secretary at (617) 727-2543

Online

Email Sydney Weiser, Press Secretary at Sydney.Heiberger@mass.gov

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