Autopsy Confirms Cuban Detainee’s Homicide at El Paso ICE Facility

The recent death of a Cuban detainee at an El Paso ICE facility has been officially ruled a homicide. The autopsy report, released by the El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office, identified Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55, as the deceased. He became unresponsive while being restrained by law enforcement on January 3, 2023, at the Camp East Montana facility.

Details of the Incident

The autopsy revealed that Mr. Lunas Campos died from “asphyxia due to neck and torso compression.” During the incident, emergency medical workers attempted to resuscitate him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The report also noted injuries to his head and neck, which included burst blood vessels.

Family’s Claims and Legal Action

The case has sparked significant public attention. Mr. Lunas Campos’s family alleges that he was killed by the facility’s guards. Witness accounts have claimed that guards were seen choking him. His family is now preparing a wrongful-death lawsuit, according to their attorney, Will Horowitz.

Jeanette Pagan Lopez, the mother of two of Mr. Lunas Campos’s children, expressed her concerns, stating that he was subjected to severe abuse and mistreatment while in custody. As of the report’s release, she had not seen the autopsy findings.

Conflicting Accounts from Officials

Federal authorities have provided varying narratives regarding the cause of Mr. Lunas Campos’s death. Initially, they reported that he died after experiencing medical distress. However, after media coverage emerged, a different statement suggested that he may have taken his own life while resisting security staff.

Toxicology Findings

In addition to the autopsy, the Medical Examiner’s Office disclosed a toxicology report. This report indicated that Mr. Lunas Campos had a history of bipolar disorder and anxiety. It also identified the presence of trazodone and hydroxyzine, medications commonly used for mental health treatment.

Legal Developments

On January 10, 2023, Mr. Lunas Campos’s family filed a petition with a federal judge. They seek to halt the deportation of two individuals who reportedly witnessed the incident. These witnesses allegedly saw guards restraining Mr. Lunas Campos prior to his death. Their testimony is considered critical for the ongoing wrongful-death suit.

Background Information

Federal records indicate that Mr. Lunas Campos was detained in July 2022 in Rochester, New York, before being moved to the El Paso facility in September. He had a criminal history, with at least ten convictions since entering the U.S. in 1996.

Recent Deaths at the Facility

Mr. Lunas Campos’s death is not an isolated incident. He is one of three individuals who have died at Camp East Montana since its opening in August 2022. The previous cases include:

• Francisco Gaspar-Andres, 48, from Guatemala, who died on December 3, 2022, from complications of alcohol-related liver disease.
• Victor Manuel Diaz, 36, from Nicaragua, who reportedly died from a “presumed suicide” on January 14, 2023, with the official cause still under investigation.

The ongoing scrutiny surrounding the treatment of detainees at ICE facilities continues to grow, particularly following tragic events such as the death of Geraldo Lunas Campos at the El Paso detention center.