Jewel-heist suspect self-departs, stunning prosecutors and derailing US case

Federal immigration authorities allowed Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores, a suspect in a $100 million jewelry heist that prosecutors say could be the largest in U.S. history, to deport himself to South America in December, stunning prosecutors who planned to bring him to trial. Flores, one of seven charged in 2022, faced up to 15 years if convicted. He pleaded not guilty, and ICE deported him after he requested voluntary departure, amid questions about an immigration detainer and whether the case should be dismissed. Prosecutors oppose dismissal but seek it without prejudice, keeping the door open to future prosecution. Victims and Brink’s say the case leaves them without closure as the criminal proceedings are disrupted by the immigration process, in a scenario described as highly unusual for such a major case.