LA Woman Charged in Staged ICE Kidnapping Hoax

Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon, a 41-year-old undocumented immigrant in Los Angeles, has been charged with conspiracy and making false statements for allegedly staging her own abduction by masked men posing as ICE agents to solicit donations and discredit federal law enforcement. Calderon's family and attorneys held a public press conference and launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking $4,500, claiming she was forced to sign self-deportation papers and detained in a warehouse. Federal authorities, after an extensive investigation including a review of surveillance footage and cell phone records, determined the abduction was fabricated and found Calderon safe in a Bakersfield shopping plaza. The Department of Homeland Security and ICE denied any involvement, calling the event a hoax intended to spread misinformation and undermine trust in agencies. Prosecutors and officials condemned the incident as dangerous and a waste of resources. Calderon faces up to five years in prison, and officials have warned that further charges may be filed if additional co-conspirators are identified.