The suspect is Hesson Nelon Presilya Flores, who is believed to have been part of a group of seven responsible for robbing an armored truck in 2022. The investigation claims that the criminals pursued the vehicle, which had stopped in a parking lot north of Los Angeles, and stole jewelry, including diamonds, emeralds, gold, rubies, and expensive watches.
Flores faced up to 15 years in prison for conspiracy and theft across interstate and international lines. He has not pleaded guilty.
According to court documents, at the end of December, Flores was deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following his request for voluntary departure. There is no information from the agency.
The suspect's attorney filed a motion to dismiss the criminal case; however, prosecutors opposed it, wishing to leave open the possibility of reviving the case should Flores return to the U.S.
The Guardian reports that Flores, who had permanent resident status, was out on bail until he was detained by ICE agents in September. Prosecutors claim they were not informed about his immigration process and learned of his deportation only after it had occurred.
The defense argues that the deportation violates Flores's right to a fair trial, while prosecutors acknowledge that he has evaded judicial proceedings and potential punishment.
Former prosecutors noted that such a situation is extremely unusual, as immigration services typically coordinate such decisions with the prosecution, especially in cases of this magnitude. Jewelry companies affected by the robbery are also demanding explanations, stating that due to the suspect's departure, the victims were left without justice.
The robbery itself occurred in July 2022 after a jewelry exhibition in the San Francisco area. The victims estimated the damage at over $100 million, although Brinks claims that the actual value of the stolen items was significantly lower. According to the lawsuit, during the theft, one of the truck drivers was asleep, while the other went out for food. The Guardian describes this robbery as the largest jewelry heist in U.S. history.
