Autopsy reveals Cuban immigrant in ICE custody died from homicide caused by asphyxia.

A recent autopsy report has ruled the death of a Cuban migrant in an immigration detention facility in Texas as a homicide, raising significant concerns over the treatment of detainees and the practices within such facilities. Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old father of four, died on January 3 following a confrontation with guards at Camp East Montana. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Lunas Campos was trying to commit suicide, and the facility staff reportedly attempted to intervene to save him.

However, witness accounts present a different narrative. Reports suggest that Lunas Campos was restrained by at least five guards, during which one guard allegedly placed an arm around his neck, cutting off airflow and rendering him unconscious. An autopsy conducted by the El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Lunas Campos exhibited signs of struggle, including abrasions on his chest and knees, as well as hemorrhages on his neck. The report identified the cause of death as asphyxia due to neck and torso compression.

Dr. Adam Gonzalez, the deputy medical examiner, noted that witnesses observed Lunas Campos becoming unresponsive amidst the physical restraint. The autopsy detailed injuries associated with restraint techniques, including petechial hemorrhages in the eyelids and skin of the neck, which can indicate extreme physical stress or injury. Forensic pathologist Dr. Victor Weedn, who reviewed the findings, indicated that these injuries support the conclusion of asphyxia as the cause of death.

The autopsy also revealed that Lunas Campos was taking prescription antidepressant and antihistamine medications and had a documented history of bipolar disorder and anxiety. Intriguingly, the report did not include any reference to an attempted suicide.

Initial statements from ICE did not mention any altercation between Lunas Campos and staff, instead suggesting he became disruptive and was moved to a segregated area. Following what was described as a distressing episode, the agency stated that medical personnel were contacted, and Lunas Campos was subsequently pronounced dead after paramedics arrived.

The Department of Homeland Security has not yet provided a response to the autopsy findings. Camp East Montana, where Lunas Campos was detained, is a significant facility located on the grounds of Fort Bliss, an Army base, and is notably being constructed and managed by a private contractor without prior experience in running such facilities.

Lunas Campos was one of the first detainees at Camp Montana East, having been arrested by ICE in Rochester, New York. His history includes a criminal conviction from 2003 for sexual contact with a person under 11, which made him subject to removal under ICE guidelines.

As this case unfolds, it highlights ongoing concerns about detainee treatment and safety in immigration facilities across the United States, particularly in light of the escalating tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and management practices in these institutions. The implications of this tragic incident are far-reaching, prompting calls for greater transparency and accountability in the handling of vulnerable populations within the immigration system.

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