U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has revealed new details regarding the homicide death of a detainee in El Paso’s Camp East Montana on Jan. 3.
The recently released ICE detainee death report states that Cuban migrant Geraldo Lunas Campos “attempted self-harm, prompting a rapid response from custody and medical staff.” The agency said staff failed to deescalate the situation and used “spontaneous use of force to prevent Mr. Lunas Campos from harming himself.”
The 55-year-old then “became unresponsive,” ICE said, and died despite CPR efforts and naloxone administration.
The report also states that Campos, who is described as “a convicted sex offender with an extended criminal history of violence and a threat to public safety,” had multiple self-harm incidents and psychological distress episodes during his time in detainment. Staff placed him on suicide watch several times, and an intake medical assessment found he had a history of suicide attempts.
The assessment also found he had asthma, insomnia, anxiety, depression, prior tuberculosis treatment and long-term use of psychotropic medication. ICE said in the report that staff provided “regular medical and psychiatric evaluations” that included medication adjustments and blood pressure monitoring.
In January, ICE originally said Campos died after “staff observed him in distress and contacted on-site medical personnel for assistance,” according to the Associated Press. The agency did not mention a struggle with guards, but an autopsy report detailed neck hemorrhages and “signs of a struggle, including abrasions on his chest and knees.”
That autopsy ruled the death a homicide due to asphyxia. The Associated Press said guards held Campos down because he was attempting suicide, and Campos then stopped breathing.
The first mention of suicide and a struggle came from Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin after the homicide ruling.
“Campos violently resisted the security staff and continued to attempt to take his life,” she said. “During the ensuing struggle, Campos stopped breathing and lost consciousness.”