BOSTON, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Following the independent investigation into the death of Massachusetts State Trooper Enrique Delgado-Garcia, who died in September of 2024 as a result of injuries he sustained while training to become a Trooper, four Massachusetts State Police officials are facing charges related to involuntary manslaughter, perjury, and causing serious bodily injury in a training program.
From the Office of the Attorney General:
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.
