In a surprising twist, a suspect in the largest jewelry heist in US history has avoided standing trial after being deported by immigration authorities. The deportation of Jason Nelson Presilla Flores has angered parties impacted by the $100 million robbery, exposing what they see as a gap in the justice system.
Last month, federal officials allegedly deported Flores, who was believed to be linked to the 2022 raid on a Brinks truck that netted a fortune in stolen jewels, gold and watches. Flores, a lawful permanent resident of the US who had lived in the region for 25 years, was taken into ICE custody in September and deported to Ecuador on or about December 29.
The move blindsided both Flores’ attorney and federal prosecutors. In a January motion to dismiss the theft and conspiracy case against Flores, his lawyer John D. Robertson wrote that he had “just learned” of his client’s deportation.
“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,” Jerry Kroll, an attorney for some of the impacted jewelry companies, told the Los Angeles Times. “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.”
Prosecutors say Flores appeared at an immigration hearing on December 16, where he represented himself and admitted to the allegations against him, then requested voluntary departure. They insist they were unaware of the deportation and played no role in ICE’s decision.
The surprise removal is the latest twist in a case that began with an alleged early-morning raid on a Brinks truck in Lebec, California in July 2022. Investigators say the robbery ring tailed the Brinks vehicle for around 300 miles before striking, making off with 24 bags of merchandise including gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds and luxury watches.
Five of the seven suspects have been arrested, with one found in Panama, but much of the stolen goods remain unrecovered. Prosecutors say they remain eager to prosecute Flores for his crimes and vindicate his victims if he returns to the country.
