By MICHAEL BIESECKER and RYAN J. FOLEY
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Cuban migrant held in solitary confinement at an immigration detention facility in Texas died after guards held him down and he stopped respiratory, in response to an post-mortem report launched Wednesday that dominated the loss of life a murder.
Geraldo Lunas Campos died Jan. 3 following an altercation with guards. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement mentioned the 55-year-old father of 4 was making an attempt suicide and the workers at Camp East Montana tried to save lots of him.
However a witness instructed The Related Press final week that Lunas Campos was handcuffed as at the very least 5 guards held him down and one put an arm round his neck and squeezed till he was unconscious.
The post-mortem report by the El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Workplace discovered Lunas Campos’ physique confirmed indicators of a wrestle, together with abrasions on his chest and knees. He additionally had hemorrhages on his neck. The deputy medical expert, Dr. Adam Gonzalez. decided the reason for loss of life was asphyxia resulting from neck and torso compression.
The report mentioned witnesses noticed Lunas Campos “become unresponsive while being physically restrained by law enforcement.” It didn’t elaborate on what occurred through the wrestle however cited proof of accidents to his neck, head and torso related to bodily restraint. The report additionally famous the presence of petechial hemorrhages — tiny blood spots from burst capillaries that may be related to intense pressure or damage — within the eyelids and pores and skin of the neck.
Dr. Victor Weedn, a forensic pathologist who reviewed the post-mortem report for AP, mentioned the presence of petechiae within the eyes “tend to support” the conclusion that asphyxia brought about the loss of life. These accidents recommend strain on the physique and are sometimes related to such deaths, he mentioned.
He mentioned the contusions on Lunas Campos’ physique might replicate bodily restraint and the neck accidents have been in line with a hand or knee on the neck.
The post-mortem additionally discovered the presence of prescription antidepressant and antihistamine drugs, including that Lunas Campos had a historical past of bipolar dysfunction and nervousness. It made no point out of him making an attempt suicide.
The Division of Homeland Safety didn’t instantly touch upon the post-mortem report.
ICE’s preliminary account of the loss of life, which included no point out of an altercation with guards, mentioned Lunas Campos had turn into disruptive and workers moved him to a segregated space.
“While in segregation, staff observed him in distress and contacted on-site medical personnel for assistance,” the company mentioned in its Jan. 9 assertion. “Medical staff responded, initiated lifesaving measures, and requested emergency medical services.”
Lunas Campos was pronounced useless after paramedics arrived.
Final Thursday, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin mentioned Lunas Campos had tried suicide and guards tried to assist him.
“Campos violently resisted the security staff and continued to attempt to take his life,” she mentioned. “During the ensuing struggle, Campos stopped breathing and lost consciousness.”
Camp Montana East is a sprawling tent facility within the desert on the grounds of Fort Bliss, an Military base. The AP reported in August that the $1.2 billion facility, anticipated to turn into the most important detention facility within the U.S., was being constructed and operated by a personal contractor headquartered in a single-family residence in Richmond, Virginia. The corporate, Acquisition Logistics LLC, had no prior expertise operating a corrections facility.
It was not instantly clear whether or not the guards current when Lunas Campos died have been authorities workers or these of the non-public contractor.
Lunas Campos was among the many first detainees despatched to Camp Montana East, arriving in September after ICE arrested him in Rochester, New York, the place he lived for greater than 20 years. He was legally admitted to the U.S. in 1996, a part of a wave of Cuban immigrants in search of to achieve Florida by boat.
ICE mentioned he was picked up in July as a part of a deliberate immigration enforcement operation resulting from felony convictions that made him eligible for removing.
New York courtroom information present Lunas Campos was convicted in 2003 of sexual contact with an individual beneath 11, a felony for which he was sentenced to at least one 12 months in jail and positioned on the state’s intercourse offender registry.
Foley reported from Iowa Metropolis.
