US Immigration Authorities Let $100 Million Jewellery Heist Accused To Self-Deport

A man accused in what investigators have described as one of the largest jewellery thefts in US history has escaped prosecution after being deported, effectively halting the case against him, according to recent court filings cited by the Los Angeles Times.

Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores was among seven people indicted last year in connection with a 2022 theft targeting a Brink’s semitrailer at a truck stop in Grapevine, Texas. Prosecutors allege the group stole gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds and luxury watches valued at up to $100 million.

The investigation has spanned multiple countries, with authorities arresting one suspect in Panama and pursuing leads in Ecuador. A significant portion of the stolen property remains unaccounted for.

Flores,

who pleaded not guilty, faced up to 15 years in prison if convicted on charges of conspiracy and theft involving interstate and foreign shipments. However, the prosecution stalled after US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported him to Ecuador in late December, his lawyer said.

In a motion filed on January 9, defence attorney John D. Robertson said he had only recently learned that his client had been removed from the United States on or around December 29. He argued that the government had effectively abandoned its case and asked the court to dismiss the charges with prejudice, which would prevent them from being refiled. A ruling is pending.

“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,” said Jerry Kroll, an attorney representing several affected jewellery companies, as quoted by the LA Times. He said the outcome exposed gaps in the system and called for greater transparency.

Court documents show Flores, a lawful permanent resident, had been in ICE custody since September and opted for deportation. At a December 16 immigration hearing, he waived his rights and sought voluntary departure to Chile, a request that was denied. A final removal order was later issued, and he was deported to Ecuador.

While deportations can occur even when criminal charges are pending, the scale of the alleged theft has raised questions about how the case was handled.

Federal prosecutors have said they were not informed in advance of Flores’ deportation and maintain they intend to pursue the case if he returns to the US.