Death at boot camp sparks investigation
By Brent Whiting and Judi Villa
The Arizona Republic
July 03, 2001
A 14-year-old boy sent to a "tough love" boot camp to learn confidence and self-respect died Sunday after he vomited dirt in the desert southwest of Buckeye, prompting investigations into his death and allegations of physical abuse.
Former drill instructors at the America's Buffalo Soldiers boot camp said youths regularly were subjected to corporal punishment, that they were kicked with the insoles of boots and forced to swallow mud.
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio on Monday called the allegations "horrific" and shut down the camp. He also launched parallel investigations, one into the death of Tony Haynes, which he described as "suspicious," and the other into allegations of abuse at the camp.
Charles "Chuck" Long, the camp's operator, denies any wrongdoing.
Haynes, who lived with his mother in north Phoenix, died Sunday after camp supervisors called 911 to report that he was suffering heat exhaustion. Arpaio said the teen was taken to a motel then returned to the camp before firefighters were called to help him.
Haynes' parents said Monday that their son had been involved with the America's Buffalo Soldiers program since March and that they voluntarily sent him to the camp after he slashed the tires on his mother's car in early June.
"He was going to take his punishment like a man," said Tony's father, Gettis Haynes Jr., of Hannibal, Mo., who last spoke to his son the night before he left for camp. "I didn't think dying was included in that."
The camp is operated by Long, president of America's Buffalo Soldier Re-Enactors Association, a Phoenix-based group that uses military discipline to reform troubled kids. Last year, the Fort Apache Tribal Council ordered one of Long's camps closed after child-abuse complaints involving a boot camp in White River.
Long said he doesn't know what killed Haynes but said heat exhaustion wasn't a cause. An autopsy is expected to be completed today.
"It's a tough program," Long said. "It's not Disneyland."
Two drill instructors, Ralph Corriere of Phoenix and Gregory Dickmann of Tolleson, who both had their kids in the camp, told The Arizona Republic they dropped out before the death of Haynes because of objections to physical punishment inflicted on children.
One camp volunteer, Nicholas Conner, 18, of Peoria, said he, too, pulled out because of the corporal punishment.
"The problem that I saw is that they were breaking down the kids, but there was no building-up process," Dickmann said.
Long declined to address the allegations, but denied any wrongdoing.
"We aren't doing anything out here that hasn't been approved by parents of the children who come to America's Buffalo Soldiers," Long said.
The Buffalo Soldiers in the past has not denied using severe disciplinary measures to teach teamwork, discipline and respect.
Long said that 45 boys and girls ages 7 to 17 were at the boot camp at the Buckeye Hills Recreation Area, southwest of Buckeye.
The parched campground lies among dusty creosote-covered hills just west of Arizona 85. The spartan amenities include two ramadas, eight concrete picnic tables and restrooms. There is no running water.