Pejman Karshenas Najafabadi, a 59-year-old Iranian national with a long criminal history, died in ICE custody after suffering cardiac arrest at a Mississippi hospital. The death occurred on March 1, 2026, at Merit Health Hospital in Natchez, where he had been receiving treatment since February 20.
Najafabadi was arrested in Nashville in 2009 by federal agents and charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. He was convicted and sentenced to one year of federal probation. Court records show he had multiple prior arrests including prostitution, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal impersonation, DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, and reckless driving.
ICE detained Najafabadi in August 2014 after an immigration judge ordered his removal to Iran following his felony conviction. Removal was delayed when the Iranian government refused to accept him. He was released under an order of supervision but was arrested again on March 29, 2025, in Tennessee for reckless endangerment, possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia, DUI, and simple drug possession-fentanyl. He was convicted of the fentanyl charge.
ICE took custody of Najafabadi on April 22, 2025. He was initially held at Winn Correctional Center in Louisiana before being transferred to the Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Angola on October 25, 2025. Medical records indicate he had chronic health conditions including cardiac issues and MRSA, and received ongoing medical care throughout his detention.
On February 20, 2026, ICE Health Service Corps staff evaluated Najafabadi for ongoing medical concerns and transferred him to Riverbridge Specialty Hospital in Vidalia, Louisiana. Hospital staff reported he was stable without signs of distress around 4 p.m. on March 1. He suffered cardiac arrest at approximately 6 p.m. and was pronounced dead at 6:32 p.m. after unsuccessful resuscitation efforts.
ICE officials stated they notified Congress, nongovernmental organizations, and media outlets as required by federal law. The agency posts death notifications on its public website under its newsroom section.
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