A South Los Angeles man was arraigned today on charges stemming from an eight-count federal grand jury indictment. The indictment alleges that he and another defendant committed a succession of armed robberies at eight convenience stores in Southern California over just over five months earlier this year.
On September 24, Jesus Soto-Parada, 26, who was deported to El Salvador during the robbery rampage but subsequently returned to the United States, is scheduled to begin his trial. He was discovered to be residing in South Los Angeles and continued the robbery spree. Daniel Pavon, a 20-year-old Honduran national residing in Gardena, is presently in state custody and is awaiting transfer to federal custody to face charges.
Court documents allegedly accuse Soto, Pavon, and their accomplices of entering convenience stores while wearing surgical masks. According to reports, one suspect would wield a handgun at the clerk while swiping money, while the other acted as a watchman.
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Soto, Pavon, and their co-conspirators allegedly initiated their robbery rampage on January 11, targeting convenience stores in Buena Park, Cypress, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Pomona, Newport Beach, Agoura Hills, and Gardena, according to the indictment filed on June 26. The group allegedly stole $7,415 in merchandise and $13,950 in cash.
Law enforcement apprehended Soto and Pavon after the Gardena robbery on June 13, when they conducted a traffic stop. Officers reportedly discovered a tracking device, a black replica semi-automatic handgun, two long-sleeved black hooded sweatshirts, a crate of blue medical face masks, and cash during the search. Subsequently, a clerk from the Gardena store that was targeted was summoned to the scene. She identified Soto and Pavon as the perpetrators of the robbery, noting that they were donning the hooded sweatshirts during the incident.
United States Attorney Martin Estrada stated, “These defendants’ alleged violent crime spree has now resulted in federal criminal charges that carry significant potential prison time.” “We are more than ever collaborating with local law enforcement to send a clear message that violent crime has no place in our community. Criminals should take note.”
Strategic enforcement priorities are established by Operation Safe Cities, with a focus on prosecuting the most significant generators of violent crime. This strategic enforcement approach is anticipated to improve public safety throughout the region by focusing on crimes that involve illicit guns, prohibited individuals possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause extensive losses and havoc to retail establishments. It is anticipated that this approach will increase the number of arrests, prosecutions, and convictions of recidivists who are engaged in the most dangerous conduct.
Soto and Pavon are subject to a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each Hobbs Act robbery count if they are convicted.
The Orange County Violent Crime Task Force (OCVCTF) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), which is composed of federal and local law enforcement agencies, was responsible for conducting the investigation.
