An illegal immigrant from Mexico has been charged with orchestrating a fake kidnapping to gain public sympathy and solicit donations, according to the Justice Department. Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon, 41, from South Los Angeles, faces charges of conspiracy and making false statements to federal officers.
Calderon is currently in U.S. immigration custody and is expected to appear in United States District Court in Los Angeles soon.
United States Attorney Bill Essayli commented on the situation: “Dangerous rhetoric that ICE agents are ‘kidnapping’ illegal immigrants is being recklessly peddled by politicians and echoed in the media to inflame the public and discredit our courageous federal agents.” He added that those involved would face consequences under federal law.
The allegations state that an attorney for Calderon's family announced at a press conference on June 30 that she had been kidnapped at a Jack in the Box parking lot in Los Angeles and taken to San Ysidro. The attorney claimed she was presented with self-deportation paperwork but refused to sign it. Calderon's daughter set up a GoFundMe page requesting $4,500 for her mother's alleged kidnapping.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began searching for Calderon after confirming she was not in immigration custody. She was found on July 5 in Bakersfield, continuing to claim she had been kidnapped. Video surveillance showed her leaving the parking lot voluntarily.
HSI Los Angeles Special Agent Eddy Wang stated: “Diverting critical law enforcement resources is not only reckless and irresponsible, but it also endangers the community.” He assured that criminal activity allegations would be thoroughly investigated.
If convicted, Calderon could face up to five years in federal prison for each charge of conspiracy and making false statements.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles with support from the Garden Grove Police Department. The Transnational Organized Crime Section is prosecuting this case.
