Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores, charged with stalking armored truck in 2022, allowed to self-deport to South America

Federal immigration authorities allowed a suspect in a $100m jewelry heist believed to be the largest in US history to deport himself to South America in December, a move that stunned and upset prosecutors who were planning to try the case and send him to prison.

Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores was one of seven people charged last year with stalking an armored truck to a rural freeway rest stop north of Los Angeles and stealing millions worth of diamonds, emeralds, gold, rubies and designer watches in 2022.

Flores faced up to 15 years in federal prison if convicted on charges of conspiracy to commit theft from interstate and foreign shipment and theft from interstate and foreign shipment. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported Flores in late December after he requested voluntary departure, prosecutors said in court filings.

ICE did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

  • anon6789@lemmy.world
    19·
    2 hours ago

    From the article:

    While the victims reported more than $100m in losses, Brink’s said the stolen items were worth less than $10m.

    From the Wiki entry on the robbery:

    Some of the jewelers have sued the company. They have admitted in depositions that they, like many of their colleagues, routinely understated the value of the jewelry being transported on manifests they filed with Brink’s, in order to keep their insurance costs down to a level where their businesses can be profitable.

    Brink’s in turn has sued to limit the payout to the declared value of the jewelry, accusing the jewelers of breach of contract.

    It is believed, due to the amount of jewelry stolen in such a short time, that there were several people involved. Some of the jewelers believe that the theft was an inside job, or at least that Brink’s may know more than it has publicly disclosed.

    Crooks all the way down! 😵

    • hector@lemmy.today
      1·
      31 minutes ago

      How much do you want to bet this guy paid a bribe to someone in ICE to get deported while under the hammer of federal prosecutors.