Legal Allegations From Detained Man

A man detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has made serious allegations regarding treatment at an Indiana detention facility. He claims officials left him unattended in a pool of blood following a seizure, which occurred due to missed epilepsy medication. Later, correctional officers allegedly pepper-sprayed him after his return from the hospital.

Andranik Grigoryan, a resident of New York, was detained at the Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana from December 30 to May 15. He filed separate lawsuits against Centurion Health of Indiana, the facility’s medical provider, and unidentified Indiana Department of Correction officers. These were lodged on Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.

Newsweek sought comments from the Department of Homeland Security and Centurion Health. An Indiana Department of Correction spokesperson refrained from making a statement.

ICE Medical Care Concerns

The Trump administration has been criticized for inadequate medical care in ICE detention centers. Advocates and detainees have reported delays in treatment, missed medications, and poor access to health care.

The lawsuit against Centurion alleges staffing shortages hindered medication access. Grigoryan reportedly did not receive his prescribed anti-seizure medication, Keppra. On January 22, medical staff failed to provide his morning dose, resulting in a severe seizure.

The complaint states Grigoryan hit his head during the seizure and lay in blood until correctional staff arrived. He received medical treatment for a head wound before his return to the facility that day.

Grigoryan claims missing medication was not isolated. The lawsuit indicates he missed several doses, with staff once informing him they were out of Keppra.

Alleged Use of Pepper Spray

The second lawsuit addresses the correctional officers’ response. After his hospital return, officers ordered a transfer to another unit. Grigoryan, reportedly still suffering seizure effects, questioned the move but did not resist physically.

The lawsuit claims officers opened a “cuffport” in the cell door to spray him with pepper spray. The spray hit his eyes, causing burning, coughing, and shortness of breath. Officers then handcuffed him and moved him without allowing him to wash off the spray.

He was not provided a shower, attempting to wash in a sink at the new cell. Both lawsuits cite 14th Amendment violations. The Centurion suit claims inadequate medical care due to staffing issues. The officers’ lawsuit alleges unjustified and unreasonable force.

The ACLU of Indiana, representing Grigoryan, emphasized his entitlement to proper medical care and protection from unnecessary force while held as a civil detainee. Ken Falk, ACLU of Indiana’s legal director, described the treatment as “cruel and unconstitutional.” Falk noted Grigoryan had not suffered a seizure for nearly a year when denied his medication.

Other Issues at Miami Correctional Facility

The lawsuits add to scrutiny over medical care at the facility, where two detainees died this year amid claims of delayed treatment. A Cambodian national, Lorth Sim, died on February 16. Reports indicated he failed to receive diabetes medication while detained. An independent autopsy found high glucose levels in his blood.

Later, on April 1, Vietnamese national Tuan Van Bui died in ICE custody at the facility. These incidents have intensified examination of the treatment and care in ICE facilities.