This Man Stole $100 Million in Jewels and Escaped Trial by Getting Deported
Federal prosecutors spent months preparing for what was expected to be a high-profile trial tied to one of the largest jewelry theft cases in U.S. history. Court records showed the main suspect could face up to 15 years in federal prison, and the case appeared to be moving steadily toward a courtroom showdown.
Then an entirely separate legal process changed everything. By late December 2025, the man prosecutors planned to put on trial had already been deported. The sudden exit caught multiple agencies off guard and effectively halted the case, leaving investigators scrambling and victims with no clear explanation of what went wrong.
The Heist That Put Investigators On High Alert
@cnnFederal immigration authorities allowed a suspect in a $100m jewelry heist to self deport himself to South America— before he could face a trial, according to prosecutors. Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores was one of seven people charged with stealing millions worth of jewelry, diamonds, emeralds, gold, rubies and designer watches in 2022. He pleaded not guilty to these charges before being deported.♬ original sound – CNN
The crime occurred in July 2022, when a Brink’s tractor-trailer carrying high-value cargo was targeted in a coordinated theft. The truck had departed an international jewelry show in Northern California and later stopped at a Flying J Travel Center near Lebec, north of Los Angeles. Investigators say suspects tracked the truck for roughly 300 miles before striking.
Stolen items included diamonds, emeralds, gold, rubies, and luxury watches packed into multiple bags. Victims reported losses exceeding $100 million, and Brink’s later estimated the value closer to $10 million. That gap became one of several strange details surrounding the case. Either way, investigators treated the theft as historically large due to scale, planning, and the type of cargo involved. Seven people were eventually charged, and among them was Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores, who pleaded not guilty and was prepared to fight the charges in court.
The Legal Trouble Was Serious
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Federal prosecutors charged Flores with conspiracy and theft tied to interstate and foreign shipments, and if convicted, he faced a possible 15-year sentence. Court records showed he was released on bail while the case moved forward.
Then another aspect entered the picture. Immigration enforcement placed Flores into custody months later, even though the criminal case remained active. Prosecutors later said they were unaware an immigration detainer existed, which meant two separate systems were moving at the same time. That lack of coordination created the opening that would reshape the entire case.
The Immigration Twist
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During a December 2025 immigration hearing, Flores requested voluntary departure. A judge denied that request but issued a final removal order anyway. He had asked to go to Chile, but authorities ultimately sent him to Ecuador. By the time prosecutors realized what had happened, he was already gone.
Legal filings later showed that prosecutors wanted the charges dismissed without prejudice, meaning they could reopen the case if he ever returned to the United States. Defense attorneys pushed for a permanent dismissal, arguing that the government allowed the situation to happen.
Legal experts called the scenario highly unusual. In most cases involving serious criminal charges, prosecutors are kept informed about immigration proceedings. That coordination helps prevent exactly this type of outcome.
Why Victims And Prosecutors Are Still Frustrated
For jewelry companies affected by the theft, the lack of a trial created a different type of loss. A criminal verdict can provide answers, accountability, and closure. Without a trial, questions remain about exactly how the theft happened and where the stolen items ended up.
Prosecutors also face a complicated situation. The case technically still exists, but only if Flores ever reenters United States jurisdiction. That leaves a major federal case sitting in legal limbo. But for now, one of the most valuable jewelry theft cases ever investigated remains unfinished, with stolen gems missing, victims waiting, and prosecutors watching for a return that may never happen.