Overview
- The El Paso County medical examiner found Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55, died on Jan. 3 from asphyxia due to compression of the neck and torso, documenting petechiae and abrasions consistent with physical restraint.
- DHS and ICE maintain staff intervened during an apparent suicide attempt, but the autopsy did not reference a suicide attempt and cited loss of consciousness while he was being restrained.
- A detainee witness told the Associated Press that Lunas Campos was handcuffed, held by at least five guards, and choked with an arm around his neck until he passed out.
- Camp East Montana is a large tent facility on Fort Bliss operated by private contractor Acquisition Logistics LLC, and it remains unclear whether the involved guards were federal employees or contractor staff.
- Family members and Rep. Veronica Escobar are pressing for independent investigations, preservation of evidence, and a halt to deportations of potential witnesses, while DHS says the case remains under active review.