EL PASO, TEXAS — A local ICE detainee who is also a convicted sex offender died in ICE custody at Camp East Montana, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55, died on Jan. 3, 2026. He was pronounced dead at 10:16 p.m. after ICE says he was “experiencing medical distress.”

What happened

Officials say earlier that day, Lunas was disruptive while getting his medication and refused to go back to his assigned dorm. As a result, officials say he was put in segregation.

While in segregation, officials say Lunas Campos was in distress and asked medical staff for help. Once medical staff got there, they started lifesaving measures and requested emergency medical services. Lunas Campos was pronounced dead by EMS.

The Associated Press says a witness told them Lunas Campos died after he was handcuffed, tackled by guards and placed in a chokehold until he lost consciousness.

READ MORE: ICE says Cuban immigrant died while attempting suicide. A witness says guards pinned and choked him

Lunas Campos criminal history

Lunas Campos was arrested by ICE on July 14, 2025 in Rochester during a planned enforcement operation. According to officials, he came to the U.S. in 1996 and has been charged with and convicted of multiple crimes, which include the following:

Criminal possession of a weapon on June 8, 1998.Petit larceny on May 5, 1999.Unlawful possession of a weapon during a robbery on March 22, 2002.Sexual contact with a child under 11 on Jan. 17, 2003.Petit larceny on Oct. 14, 2005.Petit larceny on May 25, 2006.Reckless driving on June 8, 2006.Possession of a controlled substance on Feb. 26, 2007.Driving while intoxicated on Oct. 26, 2007.Sale of a controlled substance on Feb. 17, 2009.

Officials say on March 1, 2005, an immigration judge ordered Lunas Campos’ deportation, but the government couldn’t get travel documents. Instead of being deported, ICE brought Lunas Campos to Camp East Montana on Sept. 6, 2025.

Mugshot

News10NBC found this mugshot below of a man with the same name on the NYS Sex Offender registry. All his details line up with what we know about Lunas Campos, but we’re still working to confirm that this is the Lunas Campos who died in Texas.

Lunas Campos’ cause of death is still under investigation. News10NBC is continuing to follow this story, and will update it once we learn more.

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