In a remarkable tale of celebrity intervention, Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn played a pivotal role in engineering the escape of New York Hasidic businessman Jacob Ostreicher from a notorious Bolivian prison in the early 2010s. The sweeping new feature published by New York Magazine on Tuesday reveals how Penn, alongside Hollywood stars Robert Downey Jr. and Danny Trejo, not only secured Ostreicher's freedom but also helped him readjust to life after his harrowing ordeal.
The Bolivian Nightmare
Jacob Ostreicher's troubles began when he invested in a rice farm in Bolivia, only to become entangled in a money-laundering investigation linked to a Brazilian drug trafficker. Held without charge for months, he was confined to a hellhole prison where he faced constant danger, enduring beatings, going on hunger strike, and even paying another inmate for protection. Fellow prisoners suggested his only hope was intervention from then-Bolivian President Evo Morales, despite Morales' well-known hostility toward the United States.
Sean Penn's Controversial Connections
According to the feature, inmates believed the only American with enough influence to assist was Sean Penn, who had controversially struck up an association with Morales' ally, the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, following their collaborative work on earthquake relief in Haiti. Early attempts to reach Penn failed, but word eventually reached him via fellow actor Mark Wahlberg's bodyguard and an ABC "Nightline" episode.
Ostreicher recalled the surreal moment when Penn arrived at his cell door, describing him as "looking like the Messiah with a tan." Penn leveraged his connections, engaging in soccer diplomacy to lobby Morales directly. This effort secured Ostreicher's transfer to a hospital, followed by house arrest, marking the first step toward freedom.
The Escape Plan Unfolds
Initially, Ostreicher was reluctant to flee, preferring to seek justice through legal channels. However, his perspective shifted when Penn agreed to portray him in a movie based on the events. From there, Penn orchestrated a daring escape plan, smuggling Ostreicher overland into Peru using a disguise and an altered passport. Once safely out of Bolivia, Ostreicher was flown to Los Angeles, where he stayed at Penn's home and received crucial support from Trejo and Downey Jr. as he navigated the challenges of reintegration.
This extraordinary story highlights the intersection of Hollywood influence and international diplomacy, showcasing how celebrity power can sometimes bridge political divides in unexpected ways. The New York Magazine feature provides an in-depth look at the risks, strategies, and human elements involved in this high-stakes rescue mission.
