Autopsy: Cuban Immigrant’s Death in Texas ICE Custody Ruled Homicide
In a troubling case from a Texas immigration detention facility, an autopsy has ruled the death of Cuban immigrant Geraldo Lunas Campos a homicide. The incident occurred on January 3, following an altercation with guards. Details from the autopsy reveal significant injuries consistent with asphyxia due to neck and torso compression.
Events Leading to Death of Geraldo Lunas Campos
Lunas Campos, who was 55 and a father of four, died while in solitary confinement at Camp East Montana, located on the grounds of Fort Bliss, an Army base. According to the autopsy report by the El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office, his body bore signs of a struggle, including abrasions on his chest and knees.
- Date of Death: January 3
- Location: Camp East Montana, Fort Bliss, Texas
- Age: 55
- Background: Legal immigrant since 1996; criminal history includes felony convictions for sexual contact with a minor and drug offenses.
Witness Accounts and Official Responses
Witnesses reported that Lunas Campos was handcuffed when multiple guards restrained him, with one allegedly choking him. This contradicts the initial statement from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which claimed he was attempting suicide and that staff were trying to assist him.
Dr. Adam Gonzalez, deputy medical examiner, linked the cause of death to asphyxia caused by physical restraint. The autopsy also revealed petechial hemorrhages, indicating pressure on the body, further supporting the homicide ruling.
Government and Agency Oversight
ICE has characterized Lunas Campos as a “criminal illegal alien” due to his past convictions. Following the release of the autopsy findings, the agency has come under scrutiny. Democratic Representative Veronica Escobar has called for accountability, urging that all evidence be preserved, particularly relating to the witnesses of the event.
Context of Deaths at Camp East Montana
Lunas Campos’ death marks one of three fatalities reported at Camp East Montana in a short span. On December 3, a Guatemalan immigrant was suspected to have died from liver and kidney failure, while another immigrant, Victor Manuel Diaz, died under suspected suicide conditions.
Facility Background
Camp East Montana opened in August 2022, operated under a $1.24 billion contract awarded to Acquisition Logistics. Concerns about the conditions in this facility have been raised by various advocates and lawmakers.
Escobar emphasized the need for DHS oversight and has called for an end to operations at Camp East Montana. The safety and treatment of detainees remain critical issues that demand immediate attention from U.S. authorities.
