Defendant Left the Country for Mauritius in 2017, Now Extradited back to the U.S.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of MICHEL PATRICK DESALLES, 54, for allegedly choking his employer to death with zip ties in 2017. DESALLES allegedly fled to Mauritius, his native country, immediately after the incident. He was extradited back to the United States Friday and was charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Murder in the Second Degree. [1]

“I hope the victim’s loved ones can take some measure of comfort that this defendant will finally face accountability in New York,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I thank our prosecutors for never wavering from the investigation and doggedly seeking the return of this defendant.” 

According to court documents and statements made on the record, DESALLES worked in a jewelry store in Tribeca. On the morning of February 14, 2017, DESALLES allegedly attacked his 51-year-old boss Omid Gholian and tied two zip ties tightly around his neck.

Approximately three hours later DESALLES purchased a plane ticket to Mauritius, his native country and flew out of JFK airport that evening.

The victim’s family members and police went to the store the next day, which they found locked. Police used a key provided by the family to enter the store, where they found the victim in the back dead with the zip ties around his neck. The victim also sustained bruising to his eye and a gash on his head.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant D.A.’s Julie Nobel and Elaine Ortyl under the supervision of Siobhan Carty (Chief of Trial Bureau 60) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division).

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis, and the U.S. Marshals Service worked with the Office of the Attorney General of Mauritius and the Mauritian Police Force to secure DESALLES’ arrest and extradition. The District Attorney’s Office also assisted with the extradition efforts.

Defendant Information:
MICHEL PATRICK DESALLES

Charged:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count

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[1] The charges contained in the indictments are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.