How man arrested for one of largest jewelry thefts in US could get off the hook due to ICE

A man who was arrested and charged in connection with one of the largest jewelry thefts in US history looks set to avoid any punishment due to the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

Last year, Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores and six other men were charged by the US Department of Justice, accused of stealing an eye-watering $100 million worth of gold and luxury jewelry from a Brinks truck in Southern California back in July 2022.

Flores appeared in court in June 2025, nearly three years after he was accused of committing the crime, and pleaded not guilty.

If he were found guilty, Flores faced the prospect of 15 years behind bars. However, court records show the suspect was moved to 'the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement on a detainer' In September after being released on bond.

The heist was one of largest jewelry thefts in the US (LASD)

Records from ICE show that Flores was a legal, permanent US citizen, though records obtained by the Los Angeles Times show he was deported back to Ecuador in late December 2025.

According to the court findings: "Unbeknownst to the prosecutors, defendant was taken into immigration custody. There, he faced two options: (1) assert his lawful permanent residence status, fight his criminal case, and face a potentially lengthy criminal sentence only to possibly be deported after his release; or (2) waive his immigration rights, functionally self-deport, and avoid criminal exposure all together. He chose the latter."

Jerry Kroll, an attorney for some of the jewelry companies affected by the incident, told the LA Times: "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.

"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."

Some of the stolen jewelry (FBI)

Documents reveal that Flores appeared in court on December 16, where he reportedly admitted all the allegations against him.

In the same immigration hearing, where Flores was present to represent himself, the suspect requested a voluntary departure from the US.

Speaking to a number of outlets, including the Independent, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said: "Jeson Nelson Presilla Flores is a criminal illegal alien from Ecuador whose criminal history includes sexual battery, threatening with intent to terrorize burglary, vandalism, robbery, and more."

Earlier this month, a motion to dismiss the case - which was submitted by Flores' attorney, John D. Robertson - was reportedly granted, meaning the same charges couldn't be filed against him by prosecutors again in the future.