ICE Detainee Dies At Victor Valley Global Medical Center Tuesday

Staff Writer

Wednesday, March 29th, 2017

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VICTORVILLE – A 32-year-old Adelanto Detention Facility detainee who was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) died on Tuesday morning.

Osmar Epifanio Gonzalez-Gadba a Nicaraguan national was in ICE custody since December 29, 2016, after he was arrested by Border Patrol Agents near the Otay Mesa community of southern San Diego. ICE was working on obtaining a travel document from the Nicaraguan government to facilitate his removal. According to the Homeland Security database, Gonzalez-Gadba was previously removed to Nicaraga in April 2016.

During the routine evening rounds on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at the detention center Gonzalez-Gadba was found hanging in his cell. Immediately, 911 was called and staff worked to resuscitate him. He was rushed to Victor Valley Global Center and remained on life support in the intensive care unit for six days. On Tuesday, March 28, 2017, he was pronounced deceased from what is believed to be heart failure caused by brain swelling which resulted from asphyxiation. Gonzalez-Gadba was the sole occupant of his cell at the time of the incident.

“Consistent with the agency’s protocols, the appropriate state health and local law enforcement agencies have been notified about the death, as have the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility,” ICE officials said in a written statement. “Additionally, ICE has advised Nicaraguan consular representatives.” ICE officials are also been working on locating Gonzalez-Gadba’s next of kin, but they have yet to be identified.