A 72-year-old Filipino national and convicted child sex offender died on December 5 at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas, while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The man, identified as Pete Sumalo Montejo, was pronounced dead at 2:20 p.m. by the attending emergency physician after being transported from Treasure Hills Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center due to illness.
Montejo entered the United States as a lawful permanent resident in 1962 through Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1992, he was arrested by Houston police for aggravated sexual assault of a child and later convicted by the 229th District Court in Harris County, Texas. He received seven years’ probation for that offense. Montejo was arrested again in May 2022 by Tomball police for driving while intoxicated and failing to register as a sex offender. Another arrest occurred in July 2024 for possession of a controlled substance, resulting in a conviction and two years’ probation.
ICE took Montejo into custody on February 25 during a targeted enforcement action and transferred him to the Montgomery Processing Center. After his initial court appearance in March, his case was reset. In May, medical staff reported that Montejo required hospitalization for shortness of breath and hypoxia; he returned to ICE custody at the end of June. From July to November 2025, Montejo experienced several hospitalizations for various illnesses including anemia and septic shock related to pneumonia before returning to ICE custody each time.
As per standard procedure following an in-custody death, ICE notified the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility, and the Philippine consulate.
ICE stated: "ICE makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders, and the media upon an official report of a detained illegal alien’s death, and per agency policy, posts a news release with relevant details on the ICE public website within two business days. This information may be accessed in the ICE.gov Newsroom. Additionally, congressional requirements described in the DHS Appropriations Bill of 2018 require ICE to make public all reports regarding an in-custody death within 90 days. These reports may be accessed on the Detainee Death Reporting page."
The agency also commented on its standards for detainee care: "ICE remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility; a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility; access to medical appointments, and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during ICE detention is an alien denied emergent care."
ICE reiterated that information about deaths occurring under its supervision is posted online within two business days with further details made available publicly within three months.
