Argentine court to consider US extradition of Chilean thieves linked to NFL star burglaries

Federal prosecutors in Florida have formally requested that Argentina extradite Chilean nationals Ignacio Zúñiga Cartés and Bastián Jiménez Freraut, who are accused of participating in a series of high-profile break-ins at the homes of NFL stars during away games. The pair were arrested in Buenos Aires after allegedly stealing jewelry, medals and tennis equipment from former champion Juan Martín Del Potro’s residence. U.S. authorities allege the gang stole nearly $3 million from athletes including Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow and NBA forward Bobby Portis.

The extradition petition, signed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Baeza and Magistrate Judge Anthony E. Porcelli, was sent to Argentine judge Sebastián Ramos along with an FBI affidavit. Their Argentine lawyer, Florencia Barba, stresses that the defendants will cooperate but have not admitted wrongdoing and that the legal review could take up to two years. In Argentina the men remain detained in the high-security Marcos Paz prison, where they face possible sentences of three to ten years if convicted.