Tragedy struck this week with the passing of a 49-year-old Canadian citizen, Johnny Noviello, while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida. According to an ICE detainee death notification, Miami Fire Rescue Department personnel pronounced Mr. Noviello dead at 1:36 p.m. on Monday.

The agency reports that Mr. Noviello was found unresponsive at a federal detention center. He had been held pending deportation proceedings following his arrest on May 15th at a Florida probation office. ICE details that the arrest stemmed from charges related to violations of U.S. drug laws.

Further information from ICE reveals a prior conviction for racketeering and opioid trafficking in October 2023. The circumstances surrounding Mr. Noviello’s death are currently under investigation, and further details are expected to be released as they become available.