Story highlights Ricardo Garcia was forced to fight a man twice his weight

His father turned to authorities, who stopped the fights and investigated

(CNN) At just 150 pounds, it was hardly fair to pit Ricardo Palikiko Garcia against an opponent well over twice his size. But Garcia had to fight him -- or else he'd allegedly face torture.

Running away was not an option for the inmate locked inside a San Francisco jail.

Like the gladiators of old, Garcia and others were forced into pugilistic matches, local authorities said. Four sheriff's deputies then placed bets on their bouts.

And race may have played a role, said public defender Jeff Adachi. The deputies were white; the coerced convicts all men of color.

The San Francisco County Sheriff's office has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate.

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