An El Salvadorian national — who entered the U.S. illegally after being deported — has admitted violently taking cash and booze at gunpoint from six liquor stores across Southern California.
Illegal immigrant Jesús Soto-Parada pled guilty to eight felonies stemming from the slew of crimes.
Police were able to get Soto and his accomplice with the help of a secret GPS device the clerk snuck into the $250 cash they stole, allowing the officers to track their every move.
Wearing a blue surgical mask and black sweatshirt, Soto-Parada emptied the registers at a Gardena 7-Eleven while his accomplice, Daniel Pavon, aimed a black replica handgun at the clerk during a robbery at 2:30 a.m. on June 13, 2024, according to the criminal complaint.
When officers combed the suspect’s green Ford Explorer, just 2 and half miles from the 7-Eleven, they discovered a trove of surgical masks, a replica gun, hoodies, and cash.
The tracking device was found on the front passenger floorboard, according to the criminal complaint filed by the office of Los Angeles US Attorney Bill Essayli.
An investigation revealed that Soto had been on a Southern California robbery spree from January to June of 2024, hitting 6 liquor stores and the 7-Eleven, netting over $17,000 in cash and merchandise.
Additional surveillance video from authorities shows the suspects in hoodies, surgical masks and holding guns during one incident at Monroe Liquors in Buena Park, California and at the local 7-Eleven.
The illegal El Salvadorian was arrested by The Department of Homeland Security in 2016 and 2022 for immigration violations. He was then deported to El Salvador or about April 12, 2024, according to the criminal complaint.
It’s unclear how Soto was able to return to the U.S..
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He pleaded guilty to eight felonies, one count of conspiracy and seven counts of Hobbs Act robbery on Tuesday. Soto is scheduled to be sentenced on April 15, 2026 and faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each count.
