Miami-Dade Juvenile Officer Charged In Teen's Beating Death

MIAMI, FL — A Miami-Dade juvenile detention officer was charged Monday with ordering the 2015 beating death of a 17-year-old who was in custody awaiting trial and then rewarding the inmates who carried out the attack with extra television time and snacks. If convicted, Antwan Lenard Johnson faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. The incident occurred at the Miami-Dade Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

“The United States Constitution protects every person in this country, including those who are detained in juvenile detention facilities,” asserted U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg in announcing the federal indictment.

The 35-year-old Johnson was charged with conspiracy to violate the teen's civil rights under color of law and deprivation of his civil rights under color of law. The Miami Dade Juvenile Detention Center is a 100-bed, hardware secure facility for minors detained by circuit courts. Inmates receive education, mental health, substance abuse and health care services.

"A typical day in secure detention would involve hygiene, meals, school, structured physical and educational activities and court appearances as scheduled. The average length of stay in secure detention is about 15 days," according to state officials.

Secretary Christina K. Daly of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice said her entire staff was saddened by the "very sudden and untimely death" of Elord Revolte. She said her agency cooperated with the federal investigation as well as local investigations that were conducted by the Miami-Dade Police Department and Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. Those other investigations did not result in prosecution.

"It is our expectation that any staff who jeopardize the safety of youth be held fully accountable for their actions, including criminal prosecution," Daly said. "The behavior detailed in the indictment is appalling and inexcusable."

She said her agency took swift action to terminate Johnson on Monday.

Greenberg emphasized that there are many "outstanding" agents and officers who make up the law enforcement community and a small minority of officers who abuse their positions of trust.

"These brave individuals put their lives on the line every day to protect us all and make our communities safer," Greenberg said. "But, we are committed to bringing to justice the small minority of law enforcement officials when they abuse their authority and violate the civil rights of another.”

FBI Special Agent In Charge Robert F. Lasky of the Miami Field Office said his agency is committed to safeguarding the civil rights of everyone, including inmates.

“Violations of civil rights by government officials cannot be tolerated as it undermines the public’s trust,” said Lasky. “The FBI is committed to working with our partners to safeguard the civil rights of all.”

Acting Assistant U.S. Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division also promised to continue to investigate such incidents.

“The Justice Department will continue to aggressively prosecute corrections officers who exploit their position of power and violate the civil rights of individuals in their custody,” Gore promised.

The 17-year-old Revolte was identified only as E.R. in court documents. He was taken to the juvenile detention facility on Aug. 28, 2015 and died three days later.

"He was being detained pending further order of the state court and had not been convicted of the crime for which he had been arrested," according to federal prosecutors.

Johnson is accused of imposing a so-called "bounty system" on the teenager.

"Johnson encouraged and induced juvenile detainees, in exchange for rewards and privileges, to forcibly assault E.R.," prosecutors said. "In exchange for attacking E.R., Johnson rewarded the juveniles with extra recreational time and snacks."

The teen was attacked during Johnson's 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift on Aug. 30, 2015 and died a day later at Holtz Children's Hospital.

"Based on E.R.’s statements and behavior during dinner at the JDC cafeteria, Johnson communicated to juveniles that he wanted them to forcibly assault E.R.," according to prosecutors. "Various juveniles agreed, which caused E.R. to fear for his immediate safety and stand away from the other juveniles prior to, and while returning, from the JDC cafeteria to Module 9."

Before the attack, Johnson allegedly walked out of view.

"At the same time, a juvenile punched E.R. in the face as he attempted to sit down in a chair. Numerous other juveniles immediately joined the attack and punched and kicked E.R., continuing their assault, even when E.R. fell to the ground," prosecutors explained, adding that the badly injured teen was released to an internal medical department before being taken to the hospital.

"Johnson promptly released the juveniles in Module 9 from their cells and allowed them to watch television as a reward and privilege," prosecutors said. "Johnson also bumped fists with the juvenile who initiated the attack on E.R. Johnson later caused certain Module 9 juveniles to receive snacks as a reward and privilege for participating in the attack on E.R."

The case was investigated by the FBI Miami Area Corruption Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean T. McLaughlin and Trial Attorney Samantha Trepel of the Civil Rights Division have been assigned to prosecute Johnson.

Photo courtesy Florida Department of Juvenile Justice