Prosecutors stunned as ICE lets suspect in $100m jewelry heist leave US

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Associated PressJanuary 22, 2026 at 01:47 PM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

Federal prosecutors are upset after ICE deported Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores, a suspect in a $100 million jewelry heist, to South America in December. Flores was one of seven people charged in connection with the 2022 theft of diamonds, gold, and other valuables from an armored truck in California. He faced up to 15 years in prison if convicted on charges of conspiracy and theft. Despite being a legal resident and out on bail, Flores was taken into ICE custody, and prosecutors were unaware of an immigration detainer. Flores requested voluntary departure to Chile, which was denied, but he was ultimately deported to Ecuador. Prosecutors are opposing a motion to dismiss the indictment, hoping to bring Flores to trial if he returns to the US.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Laurie Levenson 30% Los Angeles 40% Ecuador 40% South America 50% Chile 50% John D Robertson ×260% United States ×370% US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ×380% Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores ×790%

Keywords

jewelry heist 90% deportation 80% ice 80% criminal prosecution 70% federal prosecutors 60% voluntary departure 60% immigration detainer 50% interstate theft 50%

Sentiment Analysis

Negative

Score: -0.40

Source Transparency

Source

The Guardian - World News

Political Lean

Center-Left (-0.40)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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jewelry heist deportation ice criminal prosecution federal prosecutors voluntary departure immigration detainer interstate theft

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