3 Massachusetts State Troopers Charged in Recruit's Death After Boxing Match

Supervisor and two instructors plead not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and causing serious bodily injury charges.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:20pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police badge or other law enforcement equipment, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The harsh lighting and dramatic framing of this image evoke the somber and serious nature of the criminal charges against the Massachusetts State Police troopers.Worcester Today

A supervisor and two instructors with the Massachusetts State Police tactical unit have pleaded not guilty to charges connected to the death of a 25-year-old police recruit who suffered a concussion during a sparring session and blunt force injuries a day later in what investigators called an 'unapproved and unsafe' boxing match at the police academy.

Why it matters

The charges against the troopers are exceedingly rare, as criminal prosecutions in these types of police academy training deaths are highly uncommon. This case highlights growing concerns about the safety and oversight of physically demanding training exercises that have led to dozens of recruit deaths nationwide in recent years.

The details

Enrique Delgado-Garcia died at a hospital on September 13, 2024, a day after undergoing a 'medical crisis' and becoming unresponsive during a defensive tactics exercise in the boxing ring at the Massachusetts State Police academy. Investigators said Delgado-Garcia suffered a concussion during a sparring session and then sustained 'multiple blunt force injuries to the head and massive brain bleeding' a day later after academy staff failed to stop an 'unapproved and unsafe' training boxing match.

  • Delgado-Garcia died on September 13, 2024.
  • The three troopers pleaded not guilty to the charges on April 2, 2026.
  • A fourth trooper, Casey LaMonte, faces arraignment on April 14, 2026.

The players

Lt. Jennifer Penton

The supervisor and a sergeant at the time she was charged, who was one of the three troopers to plead not guilty.

Trooper Edwin Rodriguez

One of the instructors who pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Trooper David Montanez

One of the instructors who pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Enrique Delgado-Garcia

The 25-year-old police recruit who died after suffering a concussion and blunt force injuries during training exercises at the Massachusetts State Police academy.

Mike Wilcox

The attorney representing Delgado-Garcia's family.

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What they’re saying

“The tragedy of Trooper Delgado is not a crime. Filing these criminal charges will not bring Trooper Delgado Garcia back. The Commonwealth's effort to apply … convoluted legal theory to the underlying facts will not change them. Nor will it transform this tragedy into criminal conduct.”

— Brad Bailey, Attorney for Lt. Jennifer Penton

“These members and our entire defensive tactics staff are among the best in the nation and all established protocols were strictly followed.”

— Brian Williams, President of the State Police Association of Massachusetts

“They've been patient. They have been gracious through all this. They have shown nothing but class. They are grieving still, as you can tell, and they are going to stick with this process for as long as it takes. They want justice for Enrique, and they want to make sure that the process is fair and that Enrique is heard here.”

— Mike Wilcox, Attorney for Delgado-Garcia's family

What’s next

The fourth trooper, Casey LaMonte, faces arraignment on April 14, 2026. The case will continue to move through the legal process as the troopers plead not guilty to the charges.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater oversight and safety protocols in police academy training programs, as well as the rarity of criminal charges being filed in these types of incidents where recruits have died during physically demanding exercises. It underscores the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in balancing rigorous training with protecting the wellbeing of recruits.