A suspect in a multi-million dollar jewelry heist has been deported by ICE while out on bail.
According to The Guardian, Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores was one of seven people who were accused of robbing an armored truck at a rest stop north of Los Angeles in 2022. The alleged thieves are said to have stolen $100 million in diamonds, emeralds, gold, rubies and designer watches.
In December, Flores chose voluntary deportation to South America. He faced up to 15 years in federal prison after being charged with conspiracy to commit theft from interstate and foreign shipment and theft from interstate and foreign shipment, to which he pleaded not guilty.
Even though Flores was a lawful permanent resident, ICE took him into custody in September, unbeknownst to prosecutors. He was later sent to Ecuador.
Flores' attorney, John D. Robertson, has since asked the judge to toss out the indictment. Federal prosecutors have disputed Robertson’s motion and still hope to convict Flores.
"Prosecutors are supposed to allow the civil immigration process to play out independently while criminal charges are pending," prosecutors wrote in response to Robertson’s motion. "That is exactly what they did in this case — unwittingly to defendant’s benefit in that he will now avoid trial, and any potential conviction and sentence, unless and until he returns to the United States."
The heist, which happened in July 2022, saw suspects stalk a Brinks truck as it left an international jewelry show near San Francisco. The truck was transporting jewels, which, according to the victims, were valued at $100 million. However, according to Brinks, the stolen pieces weren’t worth more than $10 million.