Jesús Soto-Parada, 27, pleaded guilty to eight felonies for a series of armed convenience-store robberies across Los Angeles and Orange counties. He was arrested on June 13, 2024, after a clerk hid a GPS tracker in stolen cash that led police to him and an alleged accomplice, Daniel Pavon. Soto-Parada admitted to seven robberies (suspected in 11 total), faces up to 20 years per count, and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 15, 2026.
Previously Deported Man Pleads Guilty After GPS Tracker Leads to California Convenience-Store Robbery Spree
Deported illegal immigrant caught by GPS tracker pleads guilty to robbing 7 convenience stores in California
Jesús Soto-Parada, a 27-year-old native of El Salvador, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a string of armed robberies targeting convenience stores across Southern California, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California said.
Authorities arrested Soto-Parada on June 13, 2024, after a store clerk at a 7-Eleven near Los Angeles placed a hidden GPS tracker in $250 of stolen bills. The tracker allowed police to follow the suspects to their vehicle and take Soto-Parada and an alleged accomplice, identified as Daniel Pavon, into custody.
Suspect in black hoodie attempted to rob Monroe Liquor on Jan. 11, 2024.
Scope of the Crime Spree
Federal prosecutors say Soto-Parada and Pavon carried out robberies in eight cities over a five-month period between January and June 2024. Soto-Parada is suspected in 11 thefts and admitted to seven of the charged robberies that occurred in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Officials estimate the suspects stole about $13,950 in cash and roughly $7,415 in merchandise during the spree.
A second man in black hoodie was caught on surveillance footage holding a firearm during an attempted robbery at Monroe Liquor on Jan. 11, 2024.
Charges and Legal Details
Soto-Parada pleaded guilty to eight felonies: one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and seven counts of robbery under the Hobbs Act, a federal statute that criminalizes robbery or extortion when it affects interstate or foreign commerce. Each count carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison.
A male suspect in a face mask and black hoodie appears to hold a firearm during a 7-Eleven robbery on June 13, 2024.
Prior Immigration History
Prosecutors said Soto-Parada had multiple prior immigration violations, including federal arrests in 2016 and 2022. Officials reported he was arrested in March 2024 during the robbery spree and deported to El Salvador the following month. He later returned to the United States and is accused of resuming the robberies after reentry.
Details From The June 13 Incident
According to a criminal complaint, during the June 13 robbery Soto-Parada wore a blue surgical mask and a black sweatshirt while emptying the register, and Pavon pointed a black replica handgun at the clerk. The hidden GPS device placed by the clerk was key to locating and arresting the suspects during that incident.
Sentencing for Soto-Parada is scheduled for April 15, 2026. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice provided details on the case; reporting also included contributions from Fox News correspondent Louis Casiano.
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