BUENOS AIRES –– Two migrant bandits who had been allegedly behind a sequence of excessive profile robberies of NFL stars, together with Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes, are lastly set to face the American justice system.
Federal prosecutors in Florida have formally requested Argentina to extradite Chilean nationals Ignacio Zúñiga Cartés, 21, and Bastián Jiménez Freraut, 28, again to the US for prosecution, The Submit can reveal.
They fled the nation after their brazen break-ins, which focused the properties of soccer gamers whereas they had been on the street, in accordance with federal authorities.
The roving robbers had been arrested in Buenos Aires in Might after plying their commerce on the house of former Argentine tennis champion Juan Martín Del Potro’s house, stealing jewellery, medals and rackets, cops mentioned.
They’re wished on conspiracy expenses within the US in connection to a global crime ring that stole from the properties of Kelce, Mahomes, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, NBA ahead Bobby Portis and different sports activities stars.
“The extradition course of has formally begun,” mentioned protection legal professional Florencia Barba, who’s representing each males.
“The protection has not but been summoned by the decide. My defendants have the need to collaborate with the justice system, which doesn’t indicate an acknowledgement of any wrongdoing.
“We wish the Argentine justice system to assessment the US request correctly, and to find out if it has been executed in accordance with regulation and due course of, earlier than any extradition happens.”
The theft gang stole a minimal of just about $3 million in whole, together with money and luxurious jewellery, watches and designer baggage, prosecutors allege.
Not one of the victims had been named however the dates and circumstances matched extensively reported break-ins on the properties of the celebrities.
The thefts made headlines in 2024 when Kelce and Mahomes’ properties had been each ransacked as they had been away from house to play the New Orleans Saints.
Objects stolen from Taylor Swift’s then-boyfriend Kelce reportedly included the jersey he wore in his first Tremendous Bowl win with the Chiefs.
The extradition request to the Argentinean authorities was signed by Assistant US Lawyer Daniel Baeza and Justice of the Peace Decide Anthony E. Porcelli for the Center District of Florida.
It was forwarded, together with an FBI affidavit which describes each suspects as members of a “South American theft group,” to Argentinian decide Sebastián Ramos, in accordance with a well-placed official supply.
The criticism in opposition to Zúñiga Cartés and Jiménez Freraut –– filed in January 2025 –– alleges that the housebreaking crew timed their break-ins to coincide with athletes’ away video games between October and December 2024.
Regardless of allegedly working all around the US, the gang was charged in Florida after at the least one housebreaking came about there on the house of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers participant in in October 2024.
On at the least one event, one of many conspirators rented a car in Florida, took it throughout state traces and returned to the Sunshine State, in accordance with the criticism.
The seven defendants within the US case are charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property.
Zúñiga Cartés and Jiménez Freraut are additionally charged with aggravated theft by pressured entry in Argentina and stay remanded in custody within the infamous most safety Marcos Paz jail in Buenos Aires province, which is understood to accommodate main drug traffickers and intercourse offenders.
Below Argentine regulation, they might face 3 to 10 years in jail if discovered responsible.
Former US Open winner Del Potro’s house within the Don Bosco space of Tandil, in Buenos Aires province, was ransacked in broad daylight on Might 15, cops mentioned.
The thieves took a gold chain, wedding ceremony ring, tennis rackets and sports activities watches, in accordance with investigators.
Two different Chilean males and an Argentinean man had been additionally reportedly arrested in reference to the theft at Del Potro’s property.
Prosecutors imagine Zúñiga Cartés and Jiménez Freraut entered Argentina in April, with case sources saying the proof in opposition to them is “strong to say the least”.
The request for them to be remanded in custody included CCTV footage allegedly displaying the gang coming back from the housebreaking and photos of the stolen items discovered on their telephones.
There have been additionally alleged textual content messages warning different members of the gang that Zúñiga Cartés and Jiménez Freraut had been arrested.
Below Argentine regulation, defendants will need to have their issues in that nation handled earlier than any extradition request could be fulfilled.
Their protection lawyer Barba advised The Submit that the method might take “as much as 2 years”.
The Submit requested the Division of Justice for remark.
