Published: Feb. 1, 2011
Updated: 5:41 p.m.

Immigration detainee dies after going into cardiac arrest

By SEAN EMERY
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ORANGE – A 55-year-old Honduran man died after going into cardiac arrest while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, authorities announced Tuesday.

Jose Aguilar-Espinoza went into cardiac arrest at Theo Lacy Jail on Monday and was taken to the emergency room at UCI Medical Center in Orange about 11:15 a.m., where he was pronounced dead a short time later, ICE officials said.

Aguilar-Espinoza, who ICE officials described as a Honduran national, was arrested Jan. 12.

ICE officials have not specified charges on which Aguilar-Espinoza had been arrested. He was being held at Theo Lacy pending deportation, authorities said.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine Aguilar-Espinoza's cause of death. ICE officials have notified the Honduran consulate and his next of kin, authorities said.

Aguilar-Espinoza is the fifth detainee nationwide to pass away in ICE custody since Oct. 1, officials said.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7939 or semery@ocregister.com

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