ICE Let Indicted $100M Jewelry‑Heist Suspect Self‑Deport, Angering Prosecutors
Immigration officials allowed Flores, a lawful permanent resident who had been out on bail in the indictment over a $100 million jewelry heist, to self‑deport after an immigration hearing in which he requested voluntary departure to Chile (the judge denied that request but issued a final removal order), and he was removed to Ecuador following his transfer to ICE custody in September. Prosecutors — who say they were unaware of any immigration detainer — are angered and want the case dismissed without prejudice so they can seek his return, while defense lawyers argue the deportation violated criminal‑procedure rights and seek dismissal with prejudice; a former federal prosecutor called allowing self‑deportation in such a high‑value case “highly unusual,” noting immigration officials typically notify prosecutors.
📌 Key Facts
- The suspect is indicted in an alleged $100 million jewelry heist and was awaiting criminal trial.
- He was a lawful permanent resident who was released on bail in the criminal case and was transferred to ICE custody in September.
- Prosecutors say they were unaware of any immigration detainer when he was moved to ICE custody.
- At a Dec. 16 immigration hearing he requested voluntary departure to Chile; the judge denied voluntary departure but issued a final removal order, and he was subsequently deported to Ecuador.
- Defense lawyers say the deportation violated the defendant’s criminal‑procedure rights and have moved to dismiss the indictment with prejudice; prosecutors have asked for dismissal without prejudice so they can seek his return and proceed to trial.
- Immigration officials typically notify prosecutors when a criminal defendant is in immigration proceedings, and a former federal prosecutor called allowing self‑deportation in a high‑dollar case 'highly unusual.'
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms Flores requested voluntary departure to Chile at a Dec. 16 immigration hearing; the judge denied voluntary departure but issued a final removal order, and he was then deported to Ecuador.
- Clarifies that Flores was a lawful permanent resident on bail in the criminal case before being transferred to ICE custody in September and that prosecutors say they were unaware of any immigration detainer.
- Details defense arguments that deportation violated Flores’ criminal‑procedure rights and their motion to dismiss the indictment with prejudice, versus prosecutors’ request to dismiss without prejudice so they can seek his return and trial.
- Notes that in ordinary practice immigration officials typically notify prosecutors when a criminal defendant is in immigration proceedings, and that allowing self‑deportation in a high‑dollar case is described by a former federal prosecutor as 'highly unusual.'