Canadian man Johnny Noviello, 49, died on Monday while held by U.S. immigration officials in Florida. The Globe & Mail
A Canadian citizen, Johnny Noviello, 49, died on June 23, 2025, while being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida. He had lived in the U.S. for over 30 years.
Medical staff found him unresponsive at 12:54 p.m. inside the federal detention center in Miami. They began CPR and used a defibrillator. Emergency services arrived shortly after, but he was pronounced dead at 1:36 p.m.
The cause of death is still under investigation.
From Legal Resident to Deportation Custody
Noviello entered the U.S. legally in 1988 and became a permanent resident in 1991. ICE detained him on May 15, 2025, following a series of drug convictions.
Authorities had charged him with drug trafficking in Volusia County, Florida. He was serving probation at the time of his ICE arrest. ICE began removal proceedings due to his criminal record.
Canada Seeks Answers After Sudden Death
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister said consular officials are working urgently with U.S. authorities to learn more. She expressed condolences to Noviello’s family and asked for privacy on their behalf.
ICE said it informed the Canadian consulate and stated it provides emergency medical care to all detainees.
Lawyer and Family Caught Off Guard
Johnny’s defense lawyer, Daniel Leising, said he got a worried call from Johnny’s father when ICE first detained him. Later, a reporter told Leising about Johnny’s death.
“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. He described Johnny as quiet, kind, and soft-spoken.
Leising also said Johnny only served four months of a 12-month sentence due to time served and good behavior.
A Complicated Past and Long Legal Struggle
Court records show Johnny would have turned 50 on Canada Day. He had lived in Florida most of his life, and his family owned a used car business.
Authorities first charged Johnny and his father in 2017 for dealing prescription drugs. The case involved undercover agents and wiretaps. Though arrested in 2017, he didn’t plead guilty until 2023.
In his court statement, Johnny admitted guilt and accepted he could be deported. He also said he completed high school and understood the consequences of his plea.
Friends Shocked by the News
Lisa Edelston, a former classmate and friend, said Johnny had worked at a local Dollar Tree before his detention. She hadn’t seen him in weeks and later learned he had been arrested.
She recalled him as shy, kind, and respectful. She also mentioned he had epilepsy and wondered if it played a role in his sudden death.
Experts Blame Harsh Deportation Laws
U.S. immigration lawyer Charles Kuck said Johnny’s arrest and deportation process followed older immigration laws. He explained that any non-citizen arrested for drugs can be deported under strict U.S. rules.
Kuck described Johnny’s death as “outrageous” and said the public deserves answers.
