Federal court records show that Victor Rodriguez-Ocampo, 54, was the named defendant in USA v. Rodriguez-Ocampo (Case No. 3:25-MJ-05980), a matter filed on November 3, 2025 in the Southern District of California. Rodriguez-Ocampo was represented by the Federal Defenders of San Diego, with attorney Marina Lillian Henri listed on the docket. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia A. Cline appearing for the government.
Rodriguez-Ocampo was initially detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on October 31, 2025, outside his National City home, and held at the Otay Mesa Detention Center while federal proceedings moved forward. Despite legal representation and community efforts to halt his removal, According to a representative at La Playa, Rodriguez-Ocampo has now been deported to Tijuana, separating him from his wife, children, and the restaurant he operated for decades.
La Playa Taco Shop, located on Mission Boulevard, has been a fixture in Pacific Beach for nearly 30 years. Family members previously told SanDiegoVille that Rodriguez-Ocampo had lived in the United States for decades, maintained tax compliance, operated with required permits, and had no criminal history beyond his immigration status. They also stated that he had repeatedly attempted to obtain legal residency through formal channels.
The federal case, which proceeded quietly through the magistrate system, underscores how immigration enforcement actions can move swiftly once charges are filed, even for long-established business owners with deep community ties. While PACER records confirm the existence and representation of the case, they do not publicly detail the medical issues or personal circumstances previously raised by Rodriguez-Ocampo’s family during his detention.
Throughout November and December, community members rallied behind the family, writing letters to federal authorities and contributing to a GoFundMe campaign launched by Rodriguez-Ocampo’s son to support legal costs and keep the restaurant operating. That son was also preparing to leave for Navy boot camp during the uncertainty surrounding his father’s case.
La Playa Taco Shop remains open under family management, though relatives have acknowledged the emotional and operational toll of losing its longtime owner. For many customers, Rodriguez-Ocampo’s deportation represents more than the outcome of a court case, it marks the sudden removal of a familiar presence whose daily involvement helped define the restaurant for generations of San Diegans.
SanDiegoVille has reached out to the Rodriguez-Ocampo family, as well as the attorneys involved, seeking comment following the deportation and will update this story if additional information becomes available.
Originally published on January 5, 2026.