An El Salvadorian national, Jesús Soto-Parada, has confessed to a series of violent robberies at liquor stores across Southern California. Soto-Parada, who entered the US illegally after being deported, pleaded guilty to eight felonies related to the crimes.
The crimes involved Soto-Parada and his accomplice, Daniel Pavon, robbing multiple liquor stores at gunpoint. The pair used a replica gun to intimidate clerks and made off with cash and merchandise totaling over $17,000. One of the clerks managed to slip a GPS device into the stolen cash, allowing law enforcement to track the suspects’ movements and ultimately apprehend them.
During one robbery at a Gardena 7-Eleven, Soto-Parada wore a blue surgical mask and black sweatshirt while Pavon brandished the replica handgun. The police found incriminating evidence in their green Ford Explorer, including surgical masks, hoodies, and cash. The tracking device was located in the vehicle, confirming their involvement in the crimes.
Surveillance footage from the robberies showed Soto-Parada and Pavon wearing hoodies, surgical masks, and carrying guns. It was also revealed that Soto-Parada had been deported twice before for immigration violations but managed to re-enter the US. He now faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each of the eight felonies he pleaded guilty to, with sentencing scheduled for April 15, 2026.
The case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in dealing with repeat offenders who continue to commit crimes despite being deported. Soto-Parada’s criminal activities underscore the need for stricter border control measures to prevent individuals with a history of violence from re-entering the country illegally.
