World · North America · 3 hrs ago
Ecuadorian man agrees to plead guilty in $100 million jewelry heist
Carlos Victor Mestanza Cercado agreed to plead guilty to a federal robbery charge over a major jewelry theft in California.
He was one of seven men accused of robbing a Brink’s truck at a highway rest stop in Kern County on July 11, 2022.
The truck was carrying jewelry and gems from an exhibition in the San Francisco Bay Area to a storage facility before another show in Pasadena.
The group allegedly followed the shipment for about 300 miles and took 24 bags from the truck.
The stolen collection was valued at about $100 million, making it the largest jewelry heist on record in the United States, according to prosecutors.
Under the plea agreement, prosecutors will drop several other charges, and Mestanza could face up to 20 years in prison.
His guilty plea is expected at a November 19 hearing, while three co-defendants are due to stand trial in March 2027; it is unclear whether any stolen jewelry has been recovered.
Carlos Victor Mestanza Cercado has agreed to plead guilty to a federal robbery charge over the theft of about $100 million in jewelry from an armoured truck in California.
The robbery took place at a rural Kern County rest stop on July 11, 2022, and authorities said the group took 24 bags of treasure.
Mestanza was one of seven men indicted in the case and was arrested in Panama during a layover two years ago.
Under his agreement, prosecutors will drop several other charges; the robbery count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
He is expected to formally enter his plea on November 19, and the deal says he is likely to be deported after serving his sentence.
- Who
- Carlos Victor Mestanza Cercado, an Ecuadorian national, has agreed to plead guilty.
- What
- He agreed to plead guilty to a federal robbery charge over the theft of about $100 million in jewelry.
- When
- The robbery took place on July 11, 2022. He is expected to enter his plea on November 19, 2026.
- Where
- At a highway rest stop in rural Kern County, California.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A group robbed a Brink’s armoured truck at a rural Kern County rest stop and took 24 bags of jewelry and other valuables.
Mestanza was arrested in Panama during a layover on a flight from Guatemala to Ecuador.
Mestanza signed an agreement to plead guilty to one federal robbery count.
Court documents containing the plea agreement were filed.
Mestanza is expected to formally enter his guilty plea.
- Estimated value
- Approximately $100 million
- Items taken
- 24 bags of treasure
- Charge
- Interference with commerce by robbery
- Maximum prison term
- Up to 20 years
- Expected plea hearing
- November 19, 2026
- Indictment
- Seven men were charged in the case