Deported Immigrant Pleads Guilty to Armed Robberies Across California Convenience Stores
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Jesús Soto-Parada, a 27-year-old man from El Salvador previously deported from the United States, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to multiple armed robberies targeting convenience stores across California. Federal prosecutors revealed that Soto-Parada admitted to seven counts of robbery under the Hobbs Act, a federal statute that criminalizes robbery or extortion affecting interstate commerce, as well as one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery. Each count carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison.
Soto-Parada’s crime spree spanned from January to June 2024, during which he and an accomplice struck stores in eight cities across Los Angeles and Orange counties. Authorities estimate the total stolen cash and merchandise amounted to nearly $21,400. His arrest on June 13, 2024, was made possible after a 7-Eleven clerk near Los Angeles concealed a GPS tracking device in the stolen cash, enabling law enforcement to track the suspects’ movements and apprehend them during their escape.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Soto-Parada and his accomplice, Daniel Pavon, were caught in the act while robbing the 7-Eleven. Pavon brandished a black replica handgun, while Soto-Parada emptied the cash register. Surveillance footage captured the suspects wearing masks and dark clothing during the heist.
Federal prosecutors also noted that Soto-Parada had a history of immigration violations, having been previously arrested by federal authorities in 2016 and 2022. He was deported to El Salvador in April 2024 after an earlier arrest during his robbery spree in March. However, Soto-Parada returned to the United States and resumed criminal activities.
The case highlights ongoing challenges faced by federal agencies in curbing crimes committed by individuals with prior deportations. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency continues to coordinate with local law enforcement to address such incidents. The Department of Justice has emphasized the importance of prosecuting offenses under federal statutes like the Hobbs Act to protect commerce and community safety.
Soto-Parada’s sentencing is scheduled for April 15, 2026. If convicted on all counts, he could face a cumulative prison term extending several decades. Meanwhile, his accomplice remains under investigation as authorities continue to unravel the full scope of their criminal enterprise.
For more information on federal robbery statutes and enforcement, visit the Department of Justice Criminal Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crime page. The collaboration between federal and local agencies remains critical in tracking and prosecuting such cross-jurisdictional crime sprees.
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