"LOS ANGELES - Federal immigration authorities allowed a suspect in a $100 million jewelry heist believed to be the largest in U.S. 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. RELATED: Biggest jewel heist in U.S. history: How crew nabbed loot after San Mateo show, according to investigators 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. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported Flores in late December after he requested voluntary departure, prosecutors said in court filings."
"Federal prosecutors oppose the motion and say they still hope to bring Flores to trial, asking for charges to be dropped "without prejudice" to keep the door open for criminal prosecution in the future. Despite Flores being a lawful permanent resident and released on bail, he was taken into ICE custody in September, according to court filings from his defense attorneys. Federal prosecutors say they were unaware Flores had an immigration detainer. This was a violation of his criminal prosecution rights and warrants his case getting dismissed, Robertson said in his motion."
Federal immigration authorities allowed a suspect in a $100 million jewelry heist to deport himself to South America in December, surprising prosecutors who planned to try the case. Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores was one of seven charged with stalking an armored truck and stealing millions worth of diamonds, emeralds, gold, rubies and designer watches. Flores faced up to 15 years in federal prison and pleaded not guilty. ICE deported Flores after he requested voluntary departure. Defense attorneys moved to dismiss the indictment, citing a violation of criminal prosecution rights after Flores was taken into ICE custody despite being a lawful permanent resident and released on bail. Prosecutors oppose dismissal and seek to preserve the ability to prosecute.
Read at The Mercury News
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]