ICE detainee passes away in Louisiana hospital

NEW ORLEANS – A Guatemalan national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) died Wednesday night at Ochsner Medical Center (OMC) in Jefferson, Louisiana. The cause of death is believed to be liver failure.

Juan Luis Boch-Paniagua, 36, was transferred from the LaSalle Detention Facility to Rapides Regional Medical Center (RRMC) May 11, to treat hypotension. Boch was admitted for possible sepsis. On May 17, RRMC transferred Boch to OMC where he was diagnosed with liver failure and placed in intensive care. OMC medical staff declared Boch deceased June 1 at 6:02 p.m. Central time.

Consistent with agency protocols, the appropriate state health and local law enforcement agencies have been advised of the death, as have the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility. ICE has also informed Guatemalan consular officials and the deceased’s next of kin.

Boch was arrested Oct. 27, by the Allen County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana and convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and sentenced him to 40 days in jail. Chicago ICE officers arrested Boch Oct. 29 and reinstated his prior order of removal. Boch had re-entered the country illegally after being removed on Sep. 7, 2009.

Boch is the seventh detainee to pass away in ICE custody in fiscal year 2016.