Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores, a key suspect in what is called the largest jewelry heist in US history, escaped prosecution by deporting himself to Ecuador. Flores was one of seven people indicted for a 2022 theft at a Brinks truck stop in Grapevine. The group allegedly stole about $100 million worth of gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and luxury watches. The investigation spanned several countries and even led to an arrest in Panama. However, a big part of the stolen goods is still missing. Flores faced up to 15 years in prison if convicted of conspiracy and interstate theft. He pleaded not guilty. Flores had been held by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since September. At a hearing on December 16, he gave up his rights and asked for voluntary departure to Chile. His request was denied, but around December 29, ICE deported him to Ecuador. His lawyer, John D Robertson, said he only found out about the deportation recently and asked the judge to drop the charges permanently, calling it a government abandonment of the case. Federal prosecutors said they did not know in advance and plan to continue the case if Flores returns to the US. Jerry Kroll, an attorney for jewelry victims, said, "When a defendant in a major federal theft case leaves the country before trial, victims are left without answers, without a verdict, and without closure. For our clients — jewelers who lost their life’s work — this outcome exposes a gap in the system that deserves transparency. They are entitled to clear answers about how this happened and whether safeguards exist to prevent it from happening again." The theft happened in July 2022 after suspects tracked a Brinks truck carrying valuable bags from a jewelry exhibition near San Francisco. While victims estimate losses over $100 million, Brinks claims the stolen goods were worth less than $10 million and noted one driver was asleep and the other was inside a rest stop during the break-in.