Probation officers charged with pepper spray attacks at Los Padrinos

DOWNEY — Six Los Angeles County probation officers have been charged with illegally using pepper spray on five teenage girls at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey.

Two separate cases were filed for warrant April 5 that allege the defendants, who work as detention services officers, either were unreasonable when using pepper spray or prevented the victims from being decontaminated after they were sprayed.

The six incidents occurred between April and July of 2018.

All six suspects made their initial court appearance last Friday and are scheduled to return for arraignment May 23.

• Marlene Rochelle Wilson, 46, faces five felony counts of assault by a public officer and three misdemeanor counts of child abuse. She faces a maximum sentence of eight years and eight months in state prison.

• Janeth Vilchez, 48, was charged with one count each of assault by a public officer and child abuse. She faces four years in prison.

• LaCour Harrison, 53, faces one count of felony assault by a public officer and two misdemeanour counts of cruelty to a child by endangering her health. He faces up to four years in prison.

• Claudette Reynolds, 57, was charged with one count each of assault by a public officer and cruelty to a child by endangering her health. She faces up to 3 1/2 years in prison.

• Maria Asuzena Guerrero, 28, and Karnesha Marshall, 28, were charged with one count each of cruelty to a child by endangering her health. They face up to six months in jail.