U.S. citizen suspected of smuggling dies in Border Patrol custody in Texas

SAN ANGELO, Texas – A U.S. citizen died six hours after his arrest Tuesday while in the custody of Border Patrol agents in South Texas, according to a news release.

At about 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, U.S. Border Patrol agents in Brackettville, Texas arrested James Paul Markowitz, 32. 

Markowitz was identified as a suspect in an alien smuggling case prior to his arrest, according to a statement made by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

During processing at the Brackettville Station, which is about 35 miles east of Ciudad Acuña, Markowitz began exhibiting signs of distress and was administered first aid at about 6 p.m. by EMT-certified Border Patrol agents, according to the release.

Journalist: CBP agent refused to return passport until he admitted to writing 'propaganda'

Emergency medical services arrived at the Brackettville Station at about 6:40 p.m. and transported Markowitz by ambulance to a hospital. He was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at 9:37 p.m., according to the release.

Markowitz's body has been transferred to a medical examiner's office in Laredo for autopsy, according to Val Verde County officials.

As of Thursday, officials with U.S. Customs and Border Protection were unable to release what signs of distress Markowitz exhibited or a preliminary cause of death.