An individual from Mexico residing illegally in the United States has been charged with staging a fake kidnapping to gain public sympathy and solicit donations, according to an announcement by the Justice Department. Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon, 41, living in South Los Angeles, faces charges of conspiracy and making false statements to federal officers.
Calderon is currently held in U.S. immigration custody and is expected to appear soon in United States District Court in Los Angeles.
United States Attorney Bill Essayli commented on the case, stating that “dangerous rhetoric” about ICE agents was being used irresponsibly by politicians and media to mislead the public. He noted that the alleged hoax was a well-planned conspiracy and assured that those involved would face legal consequences.
The affidavit accompanying the complaint describes a press conference held by Calderon’s family attorney on June 30. It was claimed that Calderon had been kidnapped five days earlier at a Jack in the Box parking lot in Los Angeles and taken to San Ysidro. There, she reportedly faced pressure from ICE staff but refused voluntary deportation paperwork. Instead, she demanded legal counsel and was allegedly punished by being sent to an undisclosed warehouse location.
This story gained media attention and caused concern within the community. During this period, Calderon’s daughter launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking $4,500, claiming her mother had been abducted while heading to work. The complaint alleges this narrative was entirely fabricated.
By July 3, with Calderon still reported missing, federal agents began investigating after confirming she wasn’t in immigration custody. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) searched for her over the holiday weekend.
On July 5, HSI located Calderon at a shopping plaza parking lot in Bakersfield. Despite continuing her claims of abduction by masked men, video evidence showed her leaving the Jack in the Box parking lot voluntarily.
HSI Special Agent Eddy Wang criticized diverting law enforcement resources as reckless and harmful to community safety. He emphasized that such frauds impede other critical investigations like drug seizures and human trafficking rescues.
A criminal complaint consists of allegations; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. If convicted on all counts, Calderon could face up to five years for each charge of conspiracy and false statements.
Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles is leading this investigation with assistance from Garden Grove Police Department. The Transnational Organized Crime Section is handling prosecution efforts.
