Officer Charged In Juvenile Detention Center Beating Death
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) — An officer at the Miami-Dade Juvenile Detention Center is facing federal charges nearly three years after a 17-year-old died when he failed to receive proper medical attention after being beaten by other inmates in the detention center; a beating that was encouraged by the officer, according to prosecutors.
An indictment unsealed Monday accuses Antwan Lenard Johnson of conspiracy and deprivation of rights under color of law.
If convicted, Johnson faces a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison for each charge.
The indictment claims Johnson used a bounty system and rewards so inmates at the Miami-Dade Regional Juvenile Detention Center would use violence to punish bad behavior by other inmates.
It's a story first reported by CBS4's Jim DeFede "Snacks For Attacks: Inside A Dysfunctional Dade Juvie Detention Center, Part 1" and Part 2.
Seventeen-year-old Elord Revolte, identified only as "E.R" in the indictment, was assaulted by other juveniles in August 2015 because of unspecified "statements and behavior."
"Johnson availed himself to a type of bounty system commonly used and understood at the JDC i response to a perceived challenge to his authority by E.R. In exchanges for rewards and privileges, which is recreational time and additional snacks, Johnson caused and encouraged and induced these detainees to forcibly assault E.R. to ensure that Johnson was obeyed," said U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg.
According to the indictment, Johnson "communicated, in words and gestures, to juveniles that he wanted them to forcibly assault E.R. Various juveniles agreed." During the attack, Johnson was in a supply closet, which was away from direct view of E.R. and the other juveniles.
After the attack, E.R. was taken to the JDC medical department while the other juveniles were "released from their cells in order to watch television as a reward and privilege. In and around the same time, Antwan Lenard Johnson also acknowledged and bumped fists together with the juvenile who initiated the attack on E.R." The teens also received snacks for taking part in the attack, states the court document.
According to the indictment, E.R. was later transported from the JDC to Holtz Children's Hospital where he was pronounced dead due to bodily injuries suffered during the attack.
In 2015, two teens in the Juvenile Detention Center teen told CBS4 News the Center breeds violence.
"Usually they will bribe us with honey buns; you know Skittles, or something. [The guard would] be like, 'Okay look bro, this kid disrespected me. I don't like him. I'll give you a honey bun if you do it.'"
Both teens said it was common for such bribes to be paid out.
One kid outlined the hierarchy of snacks.
"I'm talking about under the table snacks," he said. "It's honey buns, then it's pretty much chocolate. And [then] there's fast food. Fast food is where everybody will go crazy."
The reason those items are so valuable is that the kids don't have access to the vending machines, which are located in the guard's break room.
Federal Magistrate Judge Patrick White scheduled a bond hearing for Johnson at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 8.
An attorney who made a "temporary" appearance for Johnson, Thomas Risavy, told the judge Johnson's family would not be able to post a $100,000 bond requested by the government.
It would require $10,000 cash and collateral to cover the balance.
Johnson has also been fired from his job.
From the State of Florida: The behavior detailed in the indictment is appalling and inexcusable. In response to today's findings, the Department is taking immediate action to terminate this employee.
