Federal audit finds evidence destroyed in ICE detainee homicide case
A Government Accountability Office report released in June 2026 found that critical evidence was destroyed or went missing in the death of Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old Cuban detainee who died at Camp East Montana ICE detention facility in El Paso, Texas on January 3, 2026. The El Paso County Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide caused by asphyxiation due to neck and torso compression. The facility's private contractor failed to provide required use-of-force and death reports to ICE. The GAO also documented broader problems at the facility, including a lost loaded firearm, untreated detainees with HIV and diabetes, a tuberculosis outbreak, and millions wasted on unused services. The case remains under FBI investigation. The death was initially announced by DHS as a presumed suicide. Detainee witnesses reported guards choked Lunas Campos after he refused to stop asking for medication.
Key facts
- Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55, died January 3, 2026 at Camp East Montana from asphyxiation due to neck and torso compression
- El Paso County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide in January 2026
- GAO audit in June 2026 found evidence associated with Lunas Campos incident was missing or destroyed
- Private contractor Acquisition Logistics LLC failed to provide required use-of-force and death reports to ICE
- Camp East Montana is the largest ICE detention facility in the country with a 5,000-person capacity
- GAO found facility wasted millions of dollars, including $11.5 million on unused services before detainees arrived
- Contractor lost a loaded firearm in January 2026 that was never recovered
- Three detainees died at facility within six months of opening in August 2025
- ICE terminated contractor Acquisition Logistics in March 2026 and hired Amentum Services Inc. in April 2026
- Investigation into the death is ongoing by FBI and DHS Inspector General
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning outlets and Democratic lawmakers stress that the destroyed evidence and homicide ruling represent systemic abuse under Trump's mass deportation campaign. They emphasize preventable deaths, inhumane conditions, inadequate medical care, and excessive use of force as emblematic of an irresponsible detention expansion funded by billions in taxpayer dollars to a facility operated by an inexperienced contractor.
Limits of this briefing
Most sources cite the independent GAO report and detainee witness accounts, but DHS has not fully responded to inquiries about the missing or destroyed evidence. Right-leaning media outlets provided minimal coverage or perspective on this issue. The investigation is still active, and final determinations about responsibility for evidence destruction are pending.
Sources
- NBC News: Problems at ICE facility include guard who lost loaded weapon, failure to test for tuberculosis, report says Centre
- Reason Magazine: Evidence destroyed or lost in death of ICE detainee that was ruled a homicide Centre
- The Washington Post: ICE detention camp wasted millions, endangered migrants, GAO finds Centre
- WhoWhatWhy: Deaths, a Lost Gun, and Wasted Taxpayer Millions Highlight Problems at ICE Camp Left
- IBTimes UK: Loaded Weapon Disappears Inside US ICE Facility as Report Exposes Major Safety Lapses Centre