Honduran national was appealing immigration case
The Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark (File photo)
Luis Alonso Fino Martinez, 54, was pronounced dead at University Hospital in Newark after he was transported to the hospital by ambulance from the detention center Monday, according to a statement released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The death stemmed from a natural health condition, ICE spokesman Alvin Phillips said Wednesday. Citing privacy concerns, Phillips said he could not disclose further details about the medical issue that prompted officials to call an ambulance for Fino Martinez.
An autopsy would be conducted to determine the cause of death, according to the ICE statement.
Fino Martinez was transferred to federal custody June 12, 2015 from Northern State Prison in Newark after convictions for weapons possession and attempted murder, ICE officials said. He was being housed at the county's correctional facility while appealing his federal immigration case.
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A state records search could not immediately reveal further details on Fino Martinez's criminal conviction.
In a statement, ICE said it followed agency protocol and alerted the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General's Office and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility. State health officials and local law enforcement were also notified, according to officials.
Because Fino Martinez was an immigration detainee, an Essex County spokesman referred questions to the federal agency.
ICE said it would also work with Honduran consular officials to inform Fino Martinez's family in the country. Fino Martinez is the eighth ICE detainee to die in fiscal year 2016, according to the agency.
Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.