Criminal illegal alien from Guatemala dies in ICE custody in California

SAN DIEGO, Ca. - Roberto Jimenez Gutierrez, a 43-year-old illegal alien from Guatemala, died Oct. 24 while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego. Jimenez's criminal history includes a July 2024 conviction for selling liquor to a minor, as well as prior arrests for battery against a spouse, violation of a court order, child abuse, disorderly conduct, providing false identification to a peace officer, and being under the influence of drugs.

At approximately 11:31 a.m. Oct. 24, facility staff observed Jimenez in his assigned safety cell and attempted to wake him after he was unresponsive. Facility staff contacted medical personnel, declared a medical emergency, and called 911. Medical personnel began cardiopulmonary resuscitation at approximately 11:38 a.m. Paramedics from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection arrived at approximately 11:52 a.m. and continued lifesaving measures. A paramedic pronounced Jimenez deceased at approximately 12:23 p.m.

Jimenez's death is under investigation. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the official cause and manner of death.

On an unknown date, Jimenez entered the United States at an unknown location without being admitted, inspected, or paroled by an immigration officer. An immigration judge ordered Jimenez removed to Mexico on Oct. 23, 2006, and ERO removed him to Mexico later that day. Jimenez was again removed to Mexico in March 2008 and April 2008, following immigration enforcement encounters and reinstatement of his removal order. In November 2016, U.S. Customs and Border Protection apprehended Jimenez at the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas, and released him pending potential review of relief application with USCIS. He failed to appear for appointment. On Oct. 9, 2026, ERO San Diego encountered Jimenez during enforcement operations in Escondido, California, reinstated his prior final order of removal, and transferred him to the Otay Mesa Detention Center pending removal to Mexico.

Consistent with ICE policy, Enforcement and Removal Operations San Diego completed required notifications to the Department of Homeland Security, the ICE Office of Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility through the Joint Intake Operations Center. ERO San Diego notified Jimenez's next of kin and the Consulate of Guatemala.

ICE makes official notifications to Congress, non-governmental organization stakeholders, and the media upon reports of in-custody deaths and posts news releases with relevant details on its public website. Information is available in the ICE Newsroom and on the Detainee Death Reporting page.

ICE is committed to ensuring that all those in custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout their stay. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental, and mental-health intake screenings within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility; a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arriving at a facility; access to medical appointments; and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained alien denied emergency care.