U.S. CITIZEN DIES IN BORDER PATROL CUSTODY IN PINE VALLEY

January 1, 2013 (Pine Valley ) – Steven Brian Keith, 58, died in a holding cell on Christmas morning shortly after midnight  after being detained for possession of three pounds of marijuana at a Border Patrol checkpoint near Pine Valley.  A pipe with methamphetamine traces was also found in the trunk.

According to the County Medical Examiner, Keith was found unresponsive in his holdng cell. Paraemedics were summoned and CPR was initiated, but he failed to respond.

UT San Diego reports that Keith, an American citizen, became incoherent earlier and that his sister said she was told by authorities that he suffered a seizure, though he had no health problems of which she was aware.   Authorities have denied using force on Keith an Oakdale resident who formerly lived in San Diego.

The U.S. Office of the Inspector General is conducting an investigation into Keith’s death.  The Medical Examiner has not yet determined the cause of death, pending an autopsy.