Salvadoran Immigrant Admits to Armed Robbery Spree Across California

The Case of Jesús Soto-Parada Highlights Immigration and Crime Challenges

Jesús Soto-Parada, a 27-year-old man from El Salvador, recently pleaded guilty to a series of armed robberies that targeted multiple convenience stores throughout California. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Soto-Parada admitted to committing seven robberies across Los Angeles and Orange counties between January and June 2024. His crime spree came to an end on June 13, 2024, when he was arrested while fleeing from a 7-Eleven robbery near Los Angeles. The arrest was made possible by a quick-thinking store clerk who placed a hidden GPS tracking device with the stolen cash, allowing law enforcement to track and apprehend Soto-Parada and his accomplice, Daniel Pavon.

The case presents a complicated picture of immigration policy and criminal justice. Court records show that Soto-Parada had previously been deported multiple times, including arrests by federal authorities in 2016 and 2022. In a notable detail that illustrates the challenges of immigration enforcement, authorities reported that Soto-Parada was actually arrested and deported to El Salvador in March 2024, in the middle of his robbery spree. However, he managed to re-enter the United States and allegedly resumed his criminal activities shortly thereafter. This pattern of deportation and illegal re-entry raises questions about border security and the effectiveness of current immigration policies in preventing repeat offenders from returning to the United States.

During the robberies, Soto-Parada and his accomplice employed intimidation tactics that left store employees traumatized. In their final robbery at the 7-Eleven on June 13, Soto-Parada concealed his identity with a blue surgical mask and black sweatshirt while emptying the cash register. Meanwhile, Pavon pointed what appeared to be a handgun at the terrified clerk. Though the weapon was later identified as a replica, the victims had no way of knowing this during the robberies. The Department of Justice reported that the duo targeted stores across eight different California cities during their five-month crime spree, creating a climate of fear among convenience store workers in these communities. The financial impact was significant as well, with the robbers stealing approximately $13,950 in cash and $7,415 in merchandise from the businesses they targeted.

The legal consequences for Soto-Parada are substantial. He has pleaded guilty to eight federal felonies, including one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and seven counts of robbery under the Hobbs Act. The Hobbs Act is a federal law that specifically criminalizes robberies or extortions that affect interstate commerce, allowing federal prosecutors to handle cases that might otherwise fall under state jurisdiction. Each count carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison. With multiple counts, Soto-Parada faces the possibility of spending decades behind bars when he appears for sentencing on April 15, 2026. The federal nature of these charges also means he would serve his time in a federal facility, potentially far from California.

The investigation that led to Soto-Parada’s capture demonstrates the increasing sophistication of anti-theft measures employed by retailers. The hidden GPS tracker that led police to the robbers represents just one of many technological solutions that store owners are implementing to combat retail crime. In this case, the technology worked exactly as intended – the clerk managed to include the tracking device with the $250 stolen during the robbery, allowing police to follow the suspects’ movements in real-time and make a swift arrest. This successful apprehension highlights the value of cooperation between retailers and law enforcement, as well as the importance of training store employees on security protocols during robbery situations.

This case occurs against the backdrop of ongoing national debates about immigration policy and crime. While Soto-Parada’s criminal activities are not representative of immigrant populations as a whole, his case has drawn attention because of his immigration status and history of deportations. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has emphasized the seriousness of the crimes committed, focusing on the interstate commerce implications that allowed federal prosecution. As Soto-Parada awaits sentencing next year, his case serves as a reminder of the complex intersection of criminal justice and immigration enforcement in the United States. For the store employees who experienced these robberies firsthand, however, the resolution of this case may provide some closure after months of fear and uncertainty.