US embassy cable - 05HERMOSILLO456

UNCLAS HERMOSILLO 000456 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC, CASC, MX 
SUBJECT: HERMOSILLO: RIOT IN JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITY 
 
REF: A) Hermosillo 435; B) Hermosillo 419 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY: On November 8, 2005, a group of fifteen 
individuals started a riot at the primary juvenile detention 
facility in Hermosillo.  Two Amcit minors are currently detained 
in this facility.  Neither of them were primary participants or 
seriously harmed, although one was slightly burned on his left 
ear in the incident.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (U) On November 8, 2005, at 8:17pm, an act of vandalism cut 
power to the primary juvenile detention facility in Hermosillo. 
Shortly thereafter, a group of fifteen detainees began rioting 
within the facility, burning and otherwise damaging furniture, 
sheets, and anything else they could gain access to.  After 27 
minutes, power was reestablished and order was restored. 
 
3. (U) Two U.S. citizen minor boys are currently being detained 
at this facility: Carlos Angelo Rosthenhauseler and David Diaz 
Delgado.  Post has previously visited both boys and transmitted 
report arrests in reftels A and B.  Upon learning of the 
incident in the local newspaper on November 9, post called the 
facility to check on the status of these detainees.  Although 
post was unable to speak with the social worker handling their 
cases, officials assured post that the two boys had not 
participated in the incident and continued to be in good health. 
 In a follow-up call on November 10, post was able to speak with 
the social worker handling the case.  She informed post that 
while the boys had not participated in the riot, one of them had 
in fact been slightly injured, upon being hit in the head with a 
burning towel. 
 
4. (U) Post arranged to see the two Amcit detainees in the 
afternoon of November 10.  Carlos Angelo Rosthenhauseler had a 
small burn behind his left ear, measuring about one-and-a-half 
inches long and one-quarter inch wide.  He mentioned a minor 
burning sensation in that spot, but had no major complaint.  The 
staff had already treated the burn and had given him some 
medication to ease the pain.  Carlos was very talkative and in a 
better mood than during the previous visit on October 25, 2005. 
He also had appeared to have gained some weight since that visit. 
 
 
5. (U) According to the facility staff, the ringleaders of the 
incident tended to be older detainees, several of whom had 
already turned 18.  Officials were looking into the possibility 
of transferring these offenders to the Hermosillo jail because 
they were putting the minors at risk.  However, they were unsure 
whether this transfer would be possible, given that the crimes 
had all taken place while the offenders were minors. 
CLARKE