Polk County deputies said Friday, 61 youths have been charged as a result of the riot that occurred at the Department of Juvenile Justice’s Avon Park Youth Academy on August 17, 2013.
The 61 youths face the following charges: Riot, Introduction of Contraband, Grand Theft, Burglary, Felony Criminal Mischief, Petit Theft, Tampering with Coin Operating Device, and Theft of a Controlled Substance. The charge of arson will filed by the State Fire Marshal’s Office on at least three of the juveniles.
According to investigators, the riot stemmed from a fight which broke out at the facility between two groups of juvenile delinquents just after a basketball game. A group of five juveniles from St. Pete were playing basketball against a group of five juveniles from Orlando. The wager for the game was three “Cup O’ Noodles” soups – the losing team agreed to give the winning team this food. The losing team, the juveniles from St. Pete, refused to pay, and a fight broke out between the two groups. Other juveniles who were not playing basketball joined the fray, and a riot broke out.
The most serious injury as a result of the riot was a broken leg. The other injuries consisted of bruises, lower back pain, lacerations, and one concussion.
It is estimated that these 61 juveniles caused approximately $350,000 in damage during this rampage, investigators said.
