In a federal courtroom situated in downtown Los Angeles, Jobson Marangoni De Castro, a 38-year-old individual, acknowledged his involvement in a daring diamond necklace heist, admitting guilt to interstate transportation of stolen property on Tuesday.
Appearing in a white jail jumpsuit with thinning gray hair and a streaked goatee, De Castro confessed to his actions. The victims, identified solely as residents of Brazil, had journeyed to Los Angeles in May 2023 to attend a fashion event, according to FBI Special Agent Gary Wallace.
The couple had meticulously packed jewelry, designer clothes, and several AirTag tracking devices into their six suitcases. However, four days after checking into the Peninsula Beverly Hills, De Castro managed to charge a dinner bill to the couple’s room, despite his lack of association with them.
Subsequently, De Castro returned to the hotel, impersonated a guest, and successfully obtained a key to the couple’s room from the front desk under false pretenses. Despite encountering one of the guests asleep inside the room during his initial attempt, De Castro persisted. Upon the couple’s departure for dinner, he seized the opportunity to transport six suitcases, containing the stolen valuables, out of the hotel with the assistance of hotel staff and a ride-share car.
The victims, upon their return, promptly reported the theft to the Beverly Hills police, revealing a staggering loss of approximately $1.5 million, including a custom-made Flavia Vetorasso diamond necklace valued at $395,000, as detailed by Wallace’s affidavit. Other stolen items included a Chopard L’Heure du Diamant watch valued at $89,400 and an embroidered white silk Chanel dress.
Following the theft, the victims’ attorney submitted a valuation of the stolen goods to the Beverly Hills police, underscoring the extensive financial loss incurred by the couple due to De Castro’s illicit actions.
