SWFL.io - Local NewsWINK Investigates Reporter Olivia Jean
•7/2/2026
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — Last week, WINK Investigates first reported the arrest of a corrections officer assigned to the now-closed Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center. Now, a former detainee says he witnessed the encounter that led to the arrest.
Federal court records identify the alleged victim as Rigoberto Rodriguez Arce, a Cuban citizen who had lived in the United States since 2007 before being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in December 2025.
Charging documents show 24-year-old Stephen Jordan Trejos, a corrections officer assigned to Alligator Alcatraz, is charged with misdemeanor battery after State Attorney prosecutors allege he battered Rodriguez Arce in January.
On June 24, Trejos was arrested at Alligator Alcatraz and taken to jail. Trejos later posted a $1,000 bond.
Trejos has not responded to WINK Investigates numerous attempts for a comment.
Now, another detainee who says he was in the room that day is sharing his account publicly for the first time.
Frank Rivera spent months detained at Alligator Alcatraz before being released from federal custody in June. He said he decided to speak publicly after learning of Trejos' arrest because he believes people should know what he says happened inside the facility.
Rivera came to the United States as a child and said his immigration case stems from an aggravated assault conviction he received when he was 14 after a juvenile fight. Rivera said he completed about 17 months in juvenile detention. He told WINK Investigates he had been reporting annually to ICE before he was detained again in December 2025.
Rivera said he witnessed the encounter that ultimately led to a charge against the corrections officer.
Rivera told WINK Investigates he and more than 100 detainees, including Rodriguez Arce who he calls Rigo, had been waiting for hours in handcuffs to be transferred from the facility when tensions escalated.
"We had been sitting there since six in the morning... no water, no food," Rivera recalled.
Rivera alleges the growing frustration led some detainees to bang their handcuffs against aluminum benches to get officers' attention.
Rivera alleges Stephen Trejos entered the room and confronted Rodriguez Arce.
"Instead of going in there and trying to talk things down, he went straight for Rigo," Rivera told WINK Investigates. "He picked him up, slammed him, and then started hitting him," Rivera told WINK Investigates.
Rivera said he and other detainees yelled for the corrections officer to stop.
According to Rivera, Rodriguez Arce was then taken into another area of the facility, where Rivera alleges another corrections officer continued using force against him and was punching him in the face.
WINK Investigates has not independently verified Rivera's account.
Rivera said the encounter happened Jan. 24, the day before he and Rodriguez Arce were transferred from Alligator Alcatraz to a detention facility in Texas.
After Rodriguez Arce was transferred from Alligator Alcatraz to a detention facility in Texas, his attorney and Rivera say staff there opened an investigation after observing his injuries, including a blood-stained uniform.
"He had mad blood everywhere on his pants and everything," Rivera noted.
Rivera described Trejos as a captain inside the facility who, in his view, frequently handled conflicts involving detainees. He characterized Trejos as "very arrogant" and said he "walked around like he was untouchable."
Yaritssa Plasencia, Rodriguez Arce's attorney, sent a statement to WINK Investigates:
"My client was seriously injured while detained at the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility in January 2026. According to my client, the injuries were caused by an on-duty officer during an incident inside the facility.
Following the incident, my client was transported to Kendall Hospital for emergency medical treatment. He reports that the treating physician informed him that he had sustained a significant hand injury requiring surgery. Despite that recommendation, my client alleges that he was never returned for the necessary follow-up appointments or surgical care.
My client was later transferred to a detention facility in Texas. Upon his arrival, he alleges that staff there initiated an investigation after observing that he arrived wearing bandages on his hand, with a black eye, and in a blood-stained uniform.
These allegations are deeply concerning and warrant a thorough, independent investigation. Every individual in government custody is entitled to humane treatment and appropriate medical care, regardless of their immigration status.
My client intends to pursue all available legal remedies to seek accountability and justice. This case is about more than one individual. It is about ensuring that allegations of excessive force and the denial of necessary medical care are fully investigated so that no other detainee is subjected to similar treatment.
At this time, because the matter remains under investigation and potential litigation is anticipated, we will not be commenting further on the specific facts beyond what has been stated."
Federal court records show Rodriguez Arce was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida on December 9, 2025. His attorney says he was later transferred to the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center.
Then, on January 25, he was transferred to El Paso Camp East Montana detention center, located in Texas.
On March 4, Rodriguez Arce's attorneys filed a federal petition seeking his release, calling his detention "unlawful."
Court records also show Cuba and Mexico declined to accept Rodriguez Arce's removal from the United States, complicating federal efforts to deport him.
On June 12, a judge ordered the federal government to either lawfully remove Rodriguez Arce from the United States or release him from custody under reasonable conditions by June 26.
Records show Rodriguez Arce was released from federal custody on June 26. His attorney says he is back in Florida.
On June 29, a Collier County Judge waived Trejos' arraignment. Court records show the case is scheduled for a pretrial conference on Aug. 26.
WINK Investigates called Trejos seeking his side of the story. He answered the phone but hung up. WINK Investigates Reporter Olivia Jean sent Trejos a text message requesting comment but has not received a response.
We also reached out to his attorney who told WINK Investigates via phone that he does not wish to comment at this time.
WINK Investigates has also requested information from state officials overseeing the investigation and are awaiting responses.
Although Alligator Alcatraz has since closed, the criminal investigation and legal challenges stemming from its operation continue.
WINK Investigates will continue following both the case against Trejos and any additional developments surrounding the investigation into what happened inside Alligator Alcatraz.
If you have a story, you’d like WINK Investigates to look into, email us at winkinvestigates@winknews.com or call our tip line at 239-344-5074.