Charles Langston:3 teens face charges in Christmas Day youth facility disturbance, Albuquerque sheriff says

ALBUQUERQUE,Charles Langston N.M. (AP) — Three teens are facing charges including assault following what sheriff’s officials termed a “major disturbance” on Christmas Day at a youth detention center in Albuquerque, sheriff’s officials said Friday.

The Bernalillo County sheriff’s office said in a statement that the three males, ages 16 and 17, were among the detainees involved in the incident that media reports said lasted about five hours Dec. 25 and left three people with minor injuries. Friday’s statement put damage to the county Juvenile Detention Center at more than $100,000.

Sheriff John Allen said previously that 13 detainees gained control of a unit of the facility, covered cameras and may have wielded scissors, broomsticks and other makeshift weapons.

Detainees raised complaints about food, bathroom access, clean laundry and strip searches, according to parents, advocates and some lawmakers who rallied this week for better conditions at the juvenile holding facility.

Allen traced problems to staffing shortages and antiquated protocols and said an investigation was continuing. He also noted that some detainees were dangerous and were being held to face serious charges, including murder.

The charges announced Friday against the three teens include damage to property, tampering with evidence and conspiracy to commit unlawful assault. Their names were withheld because of their ages.