ICE Deportation of $100M Jewelry Heist Suspect Sparks Outrage and Legal Questions
Federal officials have ignited controversy by deporting a suspect in what prosecutors describe as the largest jewelry heist in United States history, a $100 million robbery in Southern California. The unexpected removal of Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores to Ecuador in late December has left victims and legal observers stunned, raising serious questions about coordination between immigration and criminal justice systems.
Deportation Blindsides Legal Teams and Victims
According to court documents obtained by The Los Angeles Times, Flores was deported to Ecuador on or about December 29, 2025. This action came after he was taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in September. The deportation reportedly caught both his defense attorney and federal prosecutors completely off guard, creating significant complications for the ongoing criminal case.
In a January motion to dismiss the theft and conspiracy charges against Flores, attorney John D. Robertson revealed he had "just learned" of his client's deportation. Robertson noted that Flores was a lawful permanent resident who had lived in the United States for 25 years, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
Victims Left Without Closure or Answers
The deportation has particularly angered the jewelry companies impacted by the massive 2022 heist. Jerry Kroll, an attorney representing some of these businesses, expressed profound frustration to The Times, stating: "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."
Kroll emphasized the devastating impact on his clients, noting: "For our clients — jewelers who lost their life's work — this outcome exposes a gap in the system that deserves transparency. They are entitled to clear answers about how this happened and whether safeguards exist to prevent it from happening again."
Prosecutors Claim No Involvement in Immigration Decision
In separate January court filings, federal prosecutors asserted they were unaware of Flores being taken into immigration custody and played "no role" in ICE's decision-making process. The prosecutors maintained they "remain eager to prosecute defendant for his crimes and vindicate his victims" should Flores ever return to the United States.
Court documents reveal that Flores appeared at an immigration hearing on December 16, where he represented himself. During this proceeding, he reportedly admitted to the allegations against him and requested voluntary departure from the country.
The Massive Heist That Shook the Jewelry Industry
The deportation represents the latest development in a complex case that began with an audacious early-morning robbery in July 2022. According to federal indictments, seven individuals were involved in tailing a Brinks truck that had left a jewelry show in San Mateo. The alleged thieves followed the vehicle approximately 300 miles south to a rest stop in Lebec.
There, while one guard reportedly slept and another was inside getting food, the thieves broke into the truck without incident. They made off with 24 bags containing:
- Gold
- Diamonds
- Rubies
- Emeralds
- Luxury watches
The total value of stolen merchandise reached an astonishing $100 million, earning the distinction of being the largest jewelry heist in American history according to federal prosecutors.
Investigation Breakthroughs and Ongoing Manhunt
Despite the thieves' attempts to cover their tracks by deactecting burner phones, investigators caught a crucial break. The Times reported in October that one of the alleged robbers had given police his burner phone number when reporting a car crash the night before the heist. This allowed authorities to trace the number to a cell phone tower near the robbery site.
The Justice Department indicted seven people in connection with the Brinks truck robbery and a series of other high-value thefts throughout 2022. To date:
- Five of the seven suspects have been arrested
- One suspect was apprehended in Panama
- Much of the stolen merchandise remains unrecovered
The case has evolved into a multi-year, international investigation that continues to unfold, with the unexpected deportation of Flores adding another challenging dimension to an already complex prosecution.
