El Paso Standard

Juan Alexis Tineo-Martinez, a 44-year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic, passed away at Centro Medico Hospital in San Juan on February 23. He was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on February 21 after a maritime interdiction operation. The operation involved a vessel suspected of narcotics and human smuggling, which was intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air Marine Operations on February 20.

Tineo-Martinez was detained along with three other Dominican nationals and one Colombian individual. After he reported experiencing leg pain, ICE agents contacted local emergency services, leading to his transfer to Centro Medico Hospital for evaluation. Despite medical intervention, Tineo-Martinez did not respond to treatment.

The cause of death is pending an autopsy by the Puerto Rico Forensic Science Institute. In line with ICE protocols, several agencies were notified about the death, including the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility. The Consulate General of the Dominican Republic in San Juan informed his next of kin.

ICE has procedures for reporting deaths in custody, which include notifying Congress, nongovernmental organizations, stakeholders, and the media within two business days. These reports are available on ICE's public website as per agency policy and congressional requirements from the 2018 DHS appropriations bill mandate that all reports regarding in-custody deaths be made public within 90 days.

ICE emphasizes its commitment to providing safe environments for individuals in its custody with comprehensive medical care from arrival throughout their stay. This includes medical screenings within 12 hours of arrival at detention facilities and full health assessments within 14 days.

The smuggling incident is under prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico for drug trafficking and alien smuggling violations.