Video available below

SAN LUIS OBISPO, California — ABC 7 news in Los Angeles reports that four police officers have been arrested on suspicion of physically abusing at least 13 children. The abuse occurred at a police “boot camp” for at-risk youths, with the officers serving as “drill instructors.”

The four officers, three men and one woman, work for two departments: two came from Huntington Park PD, and two from South Gate PD.

The children were participating in the police organized program, “LEAD,” or Leadership Empowerment And Discipline, which takes place over the course of one week in May, and is located at the Army National Guard base, Camp San Luis Obispo.

Reportedly, there were 36 kids in attendance earlier this year, with 13 of them claiming that they were assaulted by the four police officers. The kids were aged 12 to 17.

The officers now face multiple charges, including willful cruelty to a child, criminal battery, abuse under color of authority, and criminal conspiracy.

Reports of abuse first arose back in June, with parents and the attorney representing the children claiming that the officers had beaten and tormented the kids in various ways. Kids were reportedly taken into “dark rooms,” where they were punched and kicked in the face, head and stomach. Several kids suffered broken arms. Others sustained fractured fingers and damaged backs after officers would walk on the kids as they lay on the ground. In at least one instance, a child was handcuffed to the floor of a bus and made to endure an entire trip in this position.

Video below:

It is unclear to what extent the Army National Guard was aware or unaware of the abuse. Earlier, California National Guard Major Mark Johnson declined to comment on the investigation or the relationship the Army National Guard has with the police department for using the San Luis Obispo facilities.

The commander of the camp, Joe Righello, made a written statement where he said that Huntington PD had been allowed to use the National Guard facilities for the LEAD program since May 2007. Righello also stated that National Guard personnel participated in LEAD by monitoring training course usage, maintaining equipment and holding safety briefings. However, he declined to answer any questions concerning what the procedure or responsibility for a Guardsman would be in light of a LEAD participant becoming injured at Camp San Luis Obispo.

The four officers were released after they posted bail, which had been set at $20,000 each.

Story written by Jack O’Brien, who maintains the blog Liberty Set Square

An investigation is underway into allegations that several kids were mentally and physically abused during a weeklong police-run boot camp for at-risk youth.

The investigation began May 28 after one child claimed abuse by drill instructors at a Leadership Empowerment and Discipline Boot Camp in San Luis Obispo. Promotional materials say the program is designed for children experiencing behavior or disciplinary problems.

Attorney Greg Owen, surrounded by parents of some of the youngsters, said during a news conference that the kids were beaten bloody, and one suffered broken fingers.

“They had him by the neck with their forearm, and they just beat him in his head, his stomach everywhere,” said Bridgette Salazar.

Authorities say there are seven alleged victims.

Araceli Pulido says her two daughters, ages 12 and 14, attended the camp.

“When they didn’t do their exercise the way they were supposed to, they were stomped in the back, their fingers were stepped on,” Pulido said.

Veronica Bernal says her 16-year-old son was abused at the hands of police officers, while attending the boot-camp.

“They slammed him against the bus…They never told me that they were gonna beat him, or they were gonna put him in a dark room, or they were gonna fracture him or break his arm or anything like that,” Bernal said.

The camp, held May 17 to 24, was under the sponsorship of the Huntington Park and South Gate police departments. The program costs $400 and is for children between 11 and 17 years old.

So far, only 7 of the 36 children who attended last month’s camp are alleging abuse, but some parents at Wednesday’s news conference say others are afraid to come forward.

The Huntington Park and South Gate police departments are investigating, as well as the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department.

Written by Robert Holguin at ABC7 Los Angeles with contributions from the Associated Press

GREECE, N.Y. — A New York police officer was sentenced Monday for possessing child pornography.

Prosecutors say John Casey III, 47, of Greece, New York, was sentenced to four years in prison, as well as ten years of supervised release after his incarceration. Casey will also need to register as a sexual offender.

In March 2014, Casey shared images of child pornography online. Investigators were able to download several photographs from Casey’s computer of children being raped.

Investigators say the time of the online activities determined that the images were never downloaded when Casey was at work.

Prosecuting attorney Craig Gestring argued that Casey should be detained until he is sentenced.

US District Judge Elizabeth Wolford said federal law defines possession of child pornography as a violent offense, and pretrial detention is required unless except for special circumstances. Wolford determined this situation did not warrant such exceptions.

Casey attorneys said the crime Gestring pleaded guilty to was less violent than other crimes, but Wolford disagreed, saying “horrific acts were done to these real children,” referencing the images found on Casey’s computers.