The death of a man inside an ICE detention facility in Texas is now expected to be ruled a homicide, according to information tied to the county medical examiner’s office, raising serious questions about the circumstances surrounding his final moments in custody.
According to The Washington Post, Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old Cuban immigrant, died on January 3 at Camp East Montana, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention site located at Fort Bliss in El Paso. ICE initially stated that Campos was found “in distress” before being pronounced dead after medical personnel responded.
However, a recording of a conversation involving an employee from the El Paso County medical examiner’s office suggests the official cause of death is likely to be classified as homicide once toxicology testing is finalized. The preliminary medical finding indicates Campos died from “asphyxia caused by neck and chest compression,” meaning his breathing was restricted due to pressure applied to his upper body.
That medical assessment appears to align with an eyewitness account from a fellow detainee, who told The Washington Post he saw guards restrain Campos and choke him during an altercation. According to the witness, Campos repeatedly cried out, “No puedo respirar,” Spanish for “I can’t breathe,” as the struggle unfolded.
An internal ICE document reviewed by reporters references a “use-of-force incident” occurring shortly before Campos’ death, though the log does not provide further details about the actions taken by detention staff.
While a homicide ruling does not automatically imply criminal intent, it does indicate that another person’s actions contributed to the death. The case has now drawn the attention of federal authorities, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation reportedly investigating the incident as scrutiny intensifies over safety and accountability inside ICE detention facilities nationwide.
