ATLANTA — A 45-year-old Mexican national in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody was pronounced dead at a Georgia hospital on June 7, authorities confirmed.
Jesus Molina-Veya was declared deceased by medical professionals at Phoebe Sumter Hospital in Americus at 6:42 p.m. The cause of death remains under investigation.
Earlier that day, detention staff observed a group of detainees gathered outside Molina-Veya’s cell. Upon entering, staff found Molina-Veya unconscious with a ligature around his neck. Health services personnel attempted lifesaving measures, including CPR, before paramedics transported him to the hospital.
History of multiple re-entries and arrests
According to ICE, Molina-Veya had previously entered the U.S. unlawfully multiple times. His first recorded encounter with U.S. Border Patrol occurred on April 19, 1999, near San Ysidro, California, leading to his removal to Mexico the following day. Despite repeated removals, he continued to re-enter the country and was arrested numerous times for a variety of offenses, including furnishing alcohol to minors, simple battery, DUI, drug possession, driving without a valid license, child molestation, hit and run, and possession of controlled substances.
Molina-Veya’s most recent arrest was on February 28, 2025, for probation violation and other offenses, resulting in a conviction on April 3, 2025.
Notifications and investigations initiated
Following Molina-Veya’s death, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Atlanta notified the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Office of Inspector General, and ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility. The Consulate of Mexico in Atlanta was also informed.
