Former Billionaire Boy may face deportation

Ellis warned Eslaminia that if he performs poorly out of custody — as noted in a probation report from a San Francisco violation — "we’ll find that out real quick.” He added that Eslaminia better make a concerted effort not to violate probation or else he’ll quickly find himself incarcerated.

"When they say jump you ask how high,” Ellis said.

Eslaminia met the sentence with a wide smile and emphatic "Your honor, thank you” as he was led from the court.

Defense attorney Bill Johnston asked that the sentence be set at 364 days for immigration purposes but Ellis refused. Under law, any non-U.S. citizen convicted of a crime and sentenced to a year or greater can be deported.

The sentence comes less than two months after Eslaminia pleaded no contest to drug possession and driving on a suspended license but more than three years after his July 31, 2002 arrest. Police reported finding cocaine, heroin and a hypodermic syringe in his possession during a traffic stop. Since his arrest, Eslaminia’s trial was continually delayed by the judicial appointment of his original attorney and multiple failures to appear while free on bail. Eslaminia was taken back to the county jail Sept. 9 where he remained until yesterday’s sentencing.

The newest conviction also falls nearly two decades after Eslaminia gained infamy for his role in what became known as the Billionaire Boys Club murders.

In 1987, Eslaminia was convicted in connection to the death of Hedayat Eslaminia, a 56-year-old former Iranian Cabinet member who fled to the United States reportedly with $30 million. The elder Eslaminia was kidnapped from his Belmont apartment in 1984 and suffocated in a steamer trunk while being driven to Southern California. Eslaminia was one of five men — collectively labeled "The Billionaire Boys Club” — charged in the alleged extortion and murder scheme. The men, led by commodities trader Joe Hunt, turned to kidnapping after their investment schemes failed, prosecutors alleged. The case became the most expensive and complicated in the history of San Mateo County. A federal court reversed Eslaminia’s conviction and the case was dismissed in 1998.

The notoriety of the murder and trial led Eslaminia unsuccessfully to see a change of venue prior to entering his no contest plea. The details of the case also filled pages of the probation report until both prosecutor Aaron Fitzgerald and Ellis agreed with Johnston that it has no place.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.