Suspect in $100M jewellery heist allowed to self-deport as an alternative of going to trial

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Federal immigration authorities authorised the self-deportation of a suspect in a $100 million jewelry heist , permitting him to keep away from trial and escape potential jail time.

Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores, 42, was one among seven folks charged final 12 months with following an armored truck to a rural freeway relaxation cease in California and stealing diamonds, emeralds, gold, rubies and designer watches in July 2022, which is believed to be the biggest jewellery heist in U.S. historical past.

Flores was dealing with as much as 15 years in federal jail if convicted on expenses of conspiracy to commit theft from interstate and international shipments and theft from interstate and international shipments. He pleaded not responsible.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported Flores late final month after he requested for a voluntary departure , prosecutors stated in court docket filings.

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Federal immigration authorities allowed a suspect in a $100 million jewellery heist to deport himself to Ecuador. (AP Photograph/Mark Schiefelbein)

The jewelers that the suspects stole from are additionally looking for solutions from immigration authorities.

"When a defendant in a significant federal theft case leaves the nation earlier than trial, victims are left with out solutions, and not using a verdict, and with out closure," Jerry Kroll, an legal professional for a few of the jewellery corporations, instructed the Los Angeles Instances.

Flores' legal professional, John D. Robertson, motioned to dismiss the indictment towards his shopper, asking for the fees to be completely dismissed and for the case to be closed.

Federal prosecutors stated they nonetheless wish to carry Flores to trial, asking for the fees to be dropped "with out prejudice" to permit for a future felony prosecution.

Whereas Flores was a lawful everlasting resident and launched on bail, he was transferred to ICE custody in September, in response to court docket filings. Federal prosecutors stated they have been unaware he had an immigration detainer.

Robertson argued that this violates his shopper's felony prosecution rights and justifies his movement to dismiss his case.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores late final month after he requested for a voluntary departure. (Getty Photos)

Flores requested deportation to Chile throughout an immigration listening to on Dec. 16, in response to court docket paperwork. The decide denied his voluntary departure utility however issued a last order of removing.

He was then deported to Ecuador.

"Prosecutors are supposed to permit the civil immigration process to play out independently whereas felony expenses are pending," federal prosecutors wrote of their movement opposing efforts to dismiss the case. "That's precisely what they did on this case — unwittingly to defendant’s profit in that he'll now keep away from trial, and any potential conviction and sentence, except and till he returns to the US."

Immigration officers would usually inform prosecutors what was taking place if a felony defendant had immigration proceedings towards them. In minor instances, a defendant can generally select to self-deport as an alternative of dealing with prosecution.

Former federal prosecutor Laurie Levenson stated what occurred in Flores' case is very uncommon, notably due to the importance on this case.

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Federal prosecutors stated they nonetheless wish to carry Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores to trial. (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

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"It is simply past me how they'd deport him with out the prosecutors … being in on the dialog," Levenson instructed The Related Press. "This actually was the left hand not realizing what the best hand was doing."

The jewellery heist was carried out in July 2022 after the suspects stalked a Brink's tractor-trailer leaving a global jewellery present close to San Francisco with dozens of luggage of jewels, in response to the indictment. The victims reported greater than $100 million in losses, however Brink's stated the stolen gadgets have been price below $10 million.

In response to a lawsuit filed by the safety firm, one of many drivers was asleep contained in the automobile and the opposite was grabbing meals inside the remainder cease when the thieves broke in.