An illegal immigrant and mother has been arrested for orchestrating a fake “kidnapping” in an elaborate scheme to scam people and tarnish the reputation of federal law enforcement. Yuriana Julia “Juli” Pelaez Calderon, 41, was charged with conspiracy and making false statements to federal officers in connection with the fake kidnapping incident, as reported by the Department of Justice.
US Attorney Bill Essayli condemned the dangerous rhetoric that ICE agents are kidnapping illegal immigrants, stating that such claims are being used to discredit federal agents and create unnecessary fear and panic among the public. The DOJ announced charges against Calderon, accusing her of staging the fake kidnapping to generate sympathy and solicit donations.
The hoax began when Calderon’s family and attorneys held a press conference alleging that armed men had abducted her from a Jack in the Box restaurant parking lot in downtown Los Angeles. They claimed that she was taken to San Ysidro, where ICE officials tried to force her to self-deport. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) denied these claims, launching an investigation into the alleged kidnapping.
After days of searching, DHS agents located Calderon in a shopping plaza parking lot in Bakersfield on July 5. Despite her continued claims of being kidnapped and held against her will, surveillance footage and telephone records revealed that the story was a hoax. Before the truth came to light, Calderon’s family had planned to hold another press conference to increase donations for a GoFundMe page set up for her.
The DHS criticized the media and politicians for spreading misinformation and smearing law enforcement officers. Calderon now faces charges that could result in a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each offense. The DOJ also hinted at the possibility of additional individuals involved in the hoax facing charges.
The online fundraising platform, GoFundMe, promptly removed Calderon’s page and refunded the $80 that had been raised, stating a zero-tolerance policy for the misuse of their platform. The spokesperson clarified that the organizer did not have access to any of the funds.
In conclusion, the fake kidnapping orchestrated by Calderon not only misled the public but also diverted essential resources from legitimate law enforcement operations. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of spreading false information and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions.
