Federal immigration authorities have allowed a suspect in a $100m jewellery heist to leave the United States before his trial, a move that has stunned and upset prosecutors preparing to bring the case to court.
Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores, one of seven people charged in connection with the 2022 theft, was deported in late December after requesting voluntary departure, according to court filings. He had been accused of stalking an armoured truck to a rural freeway rest stop north of Los Angeles and stealing diamonds, emeralds, gold, rubies and designer watches.
Flores, who pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit theft and theft from interstate and foreign shipment, faced up to 15 years in prison if convicted. His attorney has now moved to dismiss the indictment, arguing that his client's criminal prosecution rights were violated when he was taken into immigration custody while on bail in September.
Federal prosecutors oppose the dismissal and are asking for charges to be dropped without prejudice, in the hope of bringing Flores back to the US for trial. They say they were unaware that Flores, a lawful permanent resident, had an immigration detainer.
According to court documents, Flores opted for deportation to Chile during a hearing on 16 December, but was instead sent to Ecuador after a judge issued a final removal order. Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor, described the case as extremely unusual, saying: "It's just beyond me how they would deport him without the prosecutors being in on the conversation."
The jewellery companies that were targeted have also demanded answers. Jerry Kroll, an attorney representing some of them, said: "When a defendant in a major federal theft case leaves the country before trial, victims are left without answers, without a verdict, and without closure." The heist took place in July 2022, with victims reporting losses of more than $100m, though Brink's, the security company, has said the stolen items were worth less than $10m.
