Florida guards charged with assaulting migrant at detention center

Two security guards, Stephen Trejos and Andre Seenaraine, have been charged with first-degree misdemeanor battery following an alleged assault on a migrant at the former Alligator Alcatraz detention center in Florida. The incident reportedly occurred on January 25 against Rigoberto Rodríguez Arce, a 42-year-old detainee.

Witnesses claim the altercation began after detainees protested a lack of food and water by striking metal benches. According to one witness, Trejos threw Rodríguez to the ground and began hitting him, while Seenaraine allegedly punched him in the face. Rodríguez’s attorney stated he arrived at a subsequent facility with a bandaged hand and a bruised eye.

In contrast, the defense argues that security footage shows the guards using necessary control maneuvers after Rodríguez allegedly spat at them. Both defendants pleaded not guilty and were released after posting $1,000 bail. This marks the first known criminal proceeding regarding alleged mistreatment at the facility, which was closed in June.