US immigration authorities have allowed a suspect in a $100m jewelry heist—believed to be the largest in US history—to self-deport to South America, a move that has stunned and upset prosecutors who were preparing to try the case. Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores, one of seven people charged in connection with the 2022 theft, was deported by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in late December after requesting voluntary departure.
Flores faced up to 15 years in federal prison if convicted on charges of conspiracy to commit theft from interstate and foreign shipment. He had pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors say they were unaware that Flores had an immigration detainer, and his defence attorney argues that his deportation violated his criminal prosecution rights, warranting dismissal of the case.
Flores, a lawful permanent resident who had been released on bail, was taken into ICE custody in September. During a 16 December immigration hearing, he opted for deportation to Chile, but was instead sent to Ecuador after a judge issued a final removal order. Federal prosecutors oppose the dismissal motion and have asked for charges to be dropped without prejudice, keeping the door open for future prosecution should Flores return to the US.
Former federal prosecutor Laurie Levenson described the situation as extremely unusual, particularly given the significance of the case. “It’s just beyond me how they would deport him without the prosecutors being in on the conversation,” she said. “This really was the left hand not knowing what the right hand was doing.”
The heist occurred in July 2022 when suspects stalked a Brink’s truck leaving an international jewellery show near San Francisco. While victims reported losses exceeding $100m, Brink’s claimed the stolen items were worth less than $10m. Attorneys for the jewellery companies have demanded answers, stating that victims are left without closure.
