A Mexican national has been federally charged after authorities allege she faked her kidnapping to incite public sympathy and secure financial support.
According to the Washington Examiner, Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon, a 41-year-old undocumented resident of South Los Angeles, is accused of orchestrating a fabricated story involving abduction by bounty hunters and mistreatment by immigration officials, according to the Department of Justice and Homeland Security.
On June 30, Calderon was reported missing during a press conference held by her family’s attorney. It was alleged she had been taken from a parking lot at a Jack in the Box restaurant five days earlier. The attorney claimed bounty hunters captured her and handed her over to federal immigration authorities.
According to that account, Calderon was shown deportation paperwork by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement but refused to comply and requested legal representation. The family then claimed she was held captive in a warehouse at an undisclosed location and unable to reach the outside world.
This public narrative drew substantial media attention and prompted concern from immigrant rights organizations and community leaders. It also led to the launch of a fundraising campaign by Calderon's daughter, who created a GoFundMe page seeking $4,500 and describing a dramatic abduction by masked men in an unmarked vehicle. The campaign was deleted shortly afterward.
Authorities Begin Uncovering Contradictions in Story
Contrary to public reports, federal officials began expressing doubts about the story as early as July 3. At that time, Homeland Security Investigations confirmed that Calderon was not in ICE custody. With concerns mounting, agents spent the July 4 holiday weekend actively investigating her whereabouts.
Their efforts concluded on July 5, when Calderon was located in a shopping plaza parking lot in Bakersfield. Despite being found unharmed, she continued to assert that she had been detained by authorities along with others, according to officials.
Evidence soon emerged contradicting her claims. Investigators obtained surveillance footage allegedly showing Calderon willingly entering a sedan following her reported abduction. Additionally, telephone communications reviewed by agents were said to be inconsistent with her narrative.
Allegations of Fraud and Orchestrated Publicity
Prosecutors also reported that Calderon had helped create images suggesting abuse at the hands of immigration authorities. These images were part of what investigators describe as an effort to reinforce her fabricated account and encourage further donations.
Officials believe she intended to continue promoting this version of events through a second press event scheduled for July 6, where additional support and benefits might have been solicited. That event was never held, due to her apprehension the previous day. The Department of Justice has charged Calderon with conspiracy and providing false statements to federal officers. If convicted, she could face up to 10 years in prison, five years for each of the two counts.
Federal Response to Alleged Kidnapping Plot
“Since early July,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang, “my office invested valuable time and resources working this alleged kidnapping investigation only to discover that it was a hoax.” He emphasized the strain placed on agency manpower due to the purported deception.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli condemned both the alleged hoax and what he described as political narratives that question immigration operations. “Dangerous rhetoric that ICE agents are ‘kidnapping’ illegal immigrants,” he stated, “is being recklessly peddled by politicians and echoed in the media to inflame the public and discredit our courageous federal agents.” Essayli labeled the case “a well-orchestrated conspiracy” and announced that “all those involved will face justice under federal law.” According to the DOJ, the Transnational Organized Crime Section is overseeing the prosecution of the case.
Impact on ICE Enforcement and Safety Concerns
Following the incident, Homeland Security released a statement linking fabricated stories like Calderon’s to heightened dangers for law enforcement agents. The agency reported an 830% increase in assaults against ICE agents, asserting that deceptive narratives contribute directly to these attacks. Investigators noted that the hoax pulled officers away from critical enforcement duties. In the course of evaluating the kidnapping claims, ICE agents examined detention centers and conducted physical searches across facilities where Calderon was allegedly being held.
Now held in immigration custody, Calderon is scheduled to appear in federal court in downtown Los Angeles within the coming weeks. Her legal defense has not yet released a public statement regarding the charges.
