WASHINGTON – An autopsy has revealed that a Cuban immigrant, Gerardo Lunas Campos, died after being pinned down by guards at a Texas immigration detention center, leading to a homicide ruling. He stopped breathing on January 3 following a confrontation with a guard. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stated that the 55-year-old father of four had tried to take his own life and that agents attempted to intervene.
However, witnesses provided a different account, claiming Lunas Campos was handcuffed and restrained by multiple guards, one of whom reportedly placed an arm around his neck, causing him to lose consciousness.
This incident contributed to at least three reported deaths within a short period at Camp East Montana, a large facility situated at Fort Bliss Army Base. An autopsy from the El Paso County Coroner’s Office indicated signs of struggle on Lunas Campos’ body, including scratches and bleeding around his neck. The cause of death was asphyxia, due to compression of the neck and torso.
According to the autopsy, witnesses saw him “unresponsive while being physically restrained by law enforcement.” The report mentioned injuries consistent with physical restraint and small blood spots on the eyelids and neck, suggestive of severe strain or injury.
Dr. Victor Wien, a forensic pathologist, stated that the evidence of petechiae supports the conclusion of asphyxia as the cause of death. He noted that bruises on Lunas Campos’ body aligned with physical restraint methods. Additionally, the autopsy found prescribed antidepressants in his system, and while it noted a history of bipolar disorder and anxiety, there was no indication of a suicide attempt.
The government’s account evolved over time.
Initially, ICE had not mentioned any altercation with guards. Their initial statement claimed Lunas Campos had become disruptive, prompting staff to isolate him. They added that while in isolation, staff noticed him in distress and called for medical help. He was pronounced dead after emergency services arrived.
After the family learned that Lunas Campos’ death was probably going to be classified as a homicide, the Department of Homeland Security’s spokesperson revised the narrative to suggest he had indeed attempted suicide while being restrained by guards. She stated that he “violently resisted” their efforts to assist him.
Furthermore, the spokesperson highlighted Lunas Campos’ criminal record, describing him as a “criminal illegal alien and convicted child sex offender.” Court records show he was convicted in 2003 for sexual contact with a minor and served a year in prison, alongside past drug charges.
ICE asserted that it takes the health and safety of individuals in custody very seriously and is looking into the circumstances of the deaths. However, it remained unclear whether any external law enforcement agencies would also conduct investigations.
The issue surrounding Camp East Montana continues.
Reports indicated that a contract worth $1.2 billion was awarded to a company without experience in operating correctional facilities to build and run Camp East Montana. It’s not clear if the security personnel involved in Lunas Campos’ death were government employees or contractors.
The medical examiner’s homicide ruling could impact whether legal action will be taken against the guards involved. Since the death occurred on an Army base, it may complicate investigations by local and state authorities.
Lunas Campos was among the first detainees of the facility and had been living in the U.S. since 1996, arriving during a wave of Cuban immigration. He was taken into custody in July as part of an immigration enforcement operation due to his prior convictions.
In addition to Lunas Campos’ case, it was announced that another immigrant from Guatemala, Francisco Gaspar-Andrés, died after being taken to a hospital, though the cause of death has yet to be determined. Furthermore, a Nicaraguan man, Victor Manuel Diaz, died at Camp East Montana, reportedly from suicide, earlier this month.
Rep. Veronica Escobar has called on DHS leadership to clarify these recent deaths. She emphasized the need to preserve all evidence and urged the closure of Camp East Montana.
