Desk Report,
Canadian citizen dies in ICE custody in the US
A Canadian citizen has died in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), sparking diplomatic tensions between the two countries. The deceased, identified as Johnny Noviello, 49, died in an immigration detention center in Florida while awaiting deportation from the US to Canada.
Canadian citizen dies in ICE custody in the US
ICE said in a news release that Johnny Noviello died in their custody on June 23, 2025. The cause of death has not yet been released, but the matter is under investigation.
“He lived a simple life,” his lawyer claims.
Noviello’s lawyer, Dan Lessing, said Johnny was a very polite, calm and unassuming person. He was never intimidating or violent. He also said that Johnny worked primarily as a cashier and cleaner.
In 2023, he was convicted of drug-related offenses and sentenced to 364 days in prison. However, he was released on parole after serving time in county jail instead of state prison.
Lessing said he had not violated any parole. Nevertheless, ICE arrested him unexpectedly in May.
Was he not receiving epilepsy medication?
The lawyer also claimed that Noviello’s family was concerned about getting the necessary medication for his epilepsy. The family was unable to contact him during his detention and sought the help of a lawyer. “I don’t know if he was receiving the necessary treatment in detention,” said Lessing.
A Canadian citizen has died in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), sparking diplomatic tensions between the two countries. The deceased, identified as Johnny Noviello, 49, died in an immigration detention center in Florida while awaiting deportation from the US to Canada.
ICE said in a news release that Johnny Noviello died in their custody on June 23, 2025. The cause of death has not yet been released, but the matter is under investigation.
“He lived a simple life,” his lawyer claims.
Noviello’s lawyer, Dan Lessing, said Johnny was a very polite, calm and unassuming person. He was never intimidating or violent. He also said that Johnny worked primarily as a cashier and cleaner.
In 2023, he was convicted of drug-related offenses and sentenced to 364 days in prison. However, he was released on parole after serving time in county jail instead of state prison.
Lessing said he had not violated any parole. Nevertheless, ICE arrested him unexpectedly in May.
Was he not receiving epilepsy medication?
The lawyer also claimed that Noviello’s family was concerned about getting the necessary medication for his epilepsy. The family was unable to contact him during his detention and sought the help of a lawyer. “I don’t know if he was receiving the necessary treatment in detention,” said Lessing.
