Detainee Found Dead in Florida Lockup: Suicide Suspected

MOORE HAVEN, FL – Royer Perez-Jimenez, a 19-year-old national of Mexico, was found dead early Sunday morning at the Glades County Detention Center, raising questions about conditions within the facility and the handling of vulnerable detainees. Perez-Jimenez was discovered unconscious in his dormitory cell around 2:34 a.m. and pronounced dead at 2:51 a.m., despite frantic attempts at resuscitation by both detention officers and arriving paramedics.

The official cause of death is currently listed as presumed suicide, but authorities are investigating. According to officials, Perez-Jimenez had been evaluated by medical staff upon intake and denied any history of mental health issues, answering “no” to all suicide screening questions. However, the rapid progression of events and the circumstances surrounding his death are already drawing scrutiny from immigrant rights groups and raising concerns about the adequacy of mental health assessments within the detention system.

Perez-Jimenez’s troubles with the law began in February 2022, when he initially entered the United States and was quickly turned back to Mexico by U.S. Border Patrol. He illegally re-entered the country at an unknown date, a federal felony. Most recently, he was arrested by the Edgewater Police Department on January 21, 2026, and charged with fraud for impersonation and misdemeanor resisting an officer. An immigration detainer was placed on him the following day, and he entered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody on February 21. He was transferred to the Glades County facility on February 26.

ICE officials claim comprehensive medical care is provided to all detainees from intake through their entire stay, including screenings for medical, dental, and mental health concerns. However, critics point to a pattern of inadequate care and oversight within ICE facilities, leading to preventable deaths and suffering. The Grimy Times has previously reported on numerous instances of medical neglect and questionable circumstances surrounding in-custody deaths.

The death of Perez-Jimenez is now subject to multiple investigations, as is standard ICE protocol. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the DHS Office of Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility have all been notified. ICE also claims to have contacted the Mexico consulate and Perez-Jimenez’s next of kin. The agency is obligated to publicly release a full report within 90 days, as mandated by the DHS Appropriations Act of 2018, but transparency remains a significant concern.

This incident underscores the harsh realities faced by migrants in the U.S. immigration system. While ICE insists on safe and humane conditions, the death of Royer Perez-Jimenez serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities of those held in detention and the urgent need for greater accountability and oversight. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available.