Federal prosecutors in Florida have initiated the process to extradite two Chilean nationals, Ignacio Zuniga Cartes, 21, and Bastian Jimenez Freraut, 28, from Argentina to the United States to face charges related to a series of burglaries targeting the homes of professional athletes. The pair allegedly fled the U.S. after orchestrating robberies at the properties of NFL stars, including Travis Kelce, Joe Burrow, and Patrick Mahomes, while they were away for games.
International Crime Ring
Zuniga Cartes and Jimenez Freraut were arrested in Buenos Aires in May following a robbery at the home of former Argentine tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro, where they reportedly stole jewelry and sports memorabilia. Authorities believe the duo were part of an international crime ring that targeted athletes, with NBA players such as Luka Doncic and Ja Morant also listed as victims. The group is accused of stealing a minimum of $3 million in cash, jewelry, trophies, and medals from residences.
Federal authorities claim that these organized crime groups exploited publicly available information and social media to track athletes' travel schedules and habits. They allegedly employed technology to bypass alarm systems, disable internet connections, and circumvent security cameras to conceal their identities during the burglaries. In October 2024, the NFL issued a security alert to teams and the players' union following the burglaries at the homes of Mahomes and Kelce.
Legal Proceedings
In February, seven Chilean citizens were charged in federal court in Florida with conspiracy to transport stolen property across state lines, a charge carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Zuniga Cartes and Jimenez Freraut are also facing aggravated robbery charges in Argentina and are currently in custody at Marcos Paz prison in Buenos Aires.
Florencia Barba, an attorney representing both men, confirmed that the extradition process has begun. She stated that her clients are willing to cooperate with the justice system but emphasized that this does not constitute an admission of guilt. The defense is seeking a review of the U.S. extradition request by the Argentine justice system to ensure compliance with legal procedures.
Under Argentine law, the defendants must have their cases addressed within the South American country before extradition can be considered. If convicted in Argentina, they could face prison sentences ranging from three to 10 years. Prosecutors believe the evidence against Zuniga Cartes and Jimenez Freraut is substantial.