Latest news with #Calderon
Miami Herald
21-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Feds say woman faked immigration kidnapping in Los Angeles & 5 more legal cases
The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists. Thousands of legal cases reach U.S. courts every year. From accusations of mistreatment in prisons to fraud to sexual abuse and beyond, here are some of the latest from across the country. Fake tutor tries to meet child for sex acts, feds say. Florida cops were waiting In Florida, Kevin Patrick Wilson, 39, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after being accused of attempting to meet a 12-year-old girl for sex acts, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida. Court documents say Wilson posed as a tutor in a Facebook group and communicated with an undercover detective posing as the girl's guardian. The sting operation led to his arrest on July 24, 2024,according to federal prosecutors. | Published July 15 | Read More Off-duty deputy threatens crypto businessman's rival inside CA mansion, feds say In California, two Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies were charged with civil rights violations in connection with their work as private security for a cryptocurrency businessman, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California. Christopher Michael Cadman and another deputy were accused of intimidating a rival of the businessman, leading to a $25,000 transfer, federal prosecutors say. Cadman agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy against rights and a tax offense on July 14. | Published July 16 | Read More 'I'm gonna go postal.' Mail carrier purposely hits USPS vehicle in VA, feds say In Virginia, Lolita Brickhouse, 31, pleaded guilty to causing over $42,000 in damage after federal prosecutors say she purposely crashed into a USPS vehicle. The incident occurred after Brickhouse accused her co-workers of stealing her phone, leading to a violent outburst, court filings say. Brickhouse faces up to 10 years in prison for destruction of government property, according to prosecutors. | Published July 16 | Read More 21-year-old Army soldier hacks databases, threatens to leak stolen data, feds say Cameron John Wagenius, a former U.S. Army soldier, pleaded guilty to hacking and extortion charges after he was accused of accessing data from telecommunications companies, federal prosecutors say. Wagenius and his conspirators attempted to extort $1,000,000 and sold stolen data, according to court documents. He faces prison time, with sentencing scheduled for October, prosecutors say. | Published July 17 | Read More Woman fakes immigration kidnapping, then is found at CA shopping plaza, feds say Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon, 41, is accused of faking herimmigration kidnapping from downtown Los Angeles to solicit donations, according to the Justice Department. Prosecutors say Calderon and her family falsely claimed she was abducted by masked men, but she was later found at a shopping plaza. Calderon is charged with conspiracy and making false statements to federal officers. | Published July 18 | Read More Woman in crisis was stripped, strapped to chair at Florida ICE center, suit says A federal lawsuit in Florida says a woman was mistreated at an ICE facility, where guards stripped her and strapped her to a chair during a mental health crisis. The woman, a human trafficking survivor, was exposed and mocked by officers, according to the complaint. The lawsuit seeks damages and calls for the closure of the detention center. | Published July 18 | Read More McClatchy News continues to follow lawsuits and legal cases from around the country. Check back for more legal stories.
News18
18-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Illegal Immigrant In California Detained For Faking Abduction By ICE Agents
Last Updated: Her case came to light after the US Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed the fabricated accusations. The US has long struggled with the presence of illegal immigrants. The issue worsens when those on American soil attempt to stir chaos. A similar incident recently occurred in South Los Angeles, where a 41-year-old woman was charged with allegedly making false kidnapping claims against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. The case came to light after the US Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed the fabricated accusations made by Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon against federal agents. Furthermore, her family held a press conference to spread the allegations widely, later requesting donations to cover legal expenses. According to the DOJ, Calderon's family and attorneys from Movement Legal claimed during a June 30 press conference that the undocumented woman was abducted by 'masked men" at a Jack in the Box restaurant parking lot in California. They alleged she was taken to the San Ysidro border, where she was presented before ICE officers. The agents allegedly tried to force her to sign voluntary self-deportation papers, which Calderon refused. However, according to the claims, she was then taken and held in an isolated location. Exposing the fake kidnapping story fabricated by Calderon and her family, US Attorney Bill Essayli stated, '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." The DOJ has now arrested Calderon, who could face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. The agency also indicated that additional charges may follow if further involvement is uncovered. The claims made by Calderon and her family were debunked by the DOJ after reviewing CCTV footage, which showed her willingly getting into a sedan. Moreover, her phone records indicated she had orchestrated the controversy. In fact, her daughter even created a GoFundMe page to seek financial support. Days before the hoax was exposed, the family held another press conference on July 6, urging donors to increase support for their GoFundMe campaign. They also allegedly fabricated photos of her 'rescue" to make it appear as if she had been abused by ICE agents, officials said. According to KTLA, a spokesperson from the fundraising platform confirmed that the page created by Calderon's family has been removed. The campaign raised $80, which will now be refunded to donors. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: July 18, 2025, 18:26 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Time of India
Staged kidnapping: 41-year-old immigrant arrested for plotting scheme to raise money; fabricated ICE abuse claims
Representative Image (AI-generated) A 41-year-old undocumented immigrant has been arrested for allegedly staging a fake kidnapping in order to raise money and falsely accuse federal law enforcement. The US department of justice announced on Thursday that Yuriana Julia 'Juli' Pelaez Calderon faces charges of conspiracy and making false statements to federal officers. According to the department of justice, Calderon collaborated with others to stage a dramatic, fake abduction at gunpoint. The scheme involved armed men, described as bounty hunters, who took her from a fast-food restaurant parking lot in Los Angeles and attempted to force her to self-deport, all as part of a plan to deceive the public and discredit federal law enforcement. Federal officials said the scheme was designed not only to raise money but also to spread misinformation and undermine the credibility of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as reported by the New York Post. '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,' said US Attorney Bill Essayli. 'The conduct alleged in today's complaint shows this hoax kidnapping was a well-orchestrated conspiracy.' The staged event began with a press conference held by Calderon's family and attorneys on June 30. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Ultimate Options Selling Strategy - Master the markets TradeWise Learn More Undo They claimed that masked men in two trucks abducted Calderon from a Jack in the Box parking lot in Los Angeles and took her to San Ysidro, where she was allegedly pressured to sign deportation papers. Her family also claimed she was held in a warehouse after refusing to cooperate. Following widespread media coverage, Calderon's daughter created a GoFundMe page requesting $4,500 to support her mother. 'My name is Angeline Gonzalez, and my mother, Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon, was taken by masked men in an unmarked vehicle on June 25th,' the page now deleted read. In response, the Department of Homeland Security denied any involvement and launched an investigation. Agents searched for Calderon for several days, including checking detention facilities across the region. She was eventually found in a shopping plaza parking lot in Bakersfield on July 5. Despite continuing to claim she was kidnapped, video surveillance showed Calderon voluntarily getting into a car after leaving the restaurant. Phone records also supported the conclusion that the event was fabricated. Officials said that Calderon's family had planned a second press conference on July 6 for the GoFundMe page to increase public donations before the hoax was foiled. They even created fake images suggesting Calderon was abused during her supposed rescue. 'Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon was never arrested or kidnapped by ICE or bounty hunters—this criminal illegal alien scammed innocent Americans for money and diverted limited DHS resources from removing the worst of the worst from Los Angeles communities,' the DHS said. DHS also criticised media outlets and public figures who had repeated the false claims without proper verification. 'Calderon will now face justice and the media and politicians who swallowed and pushed this garbage should be embarrassed,' the agency said. GoFundMe confirmed that it removed the fundraising page and has refunded the $80 that had been donated. It further clarified that the organisation never had access to the funds. 'We have zero tolerance for any attempt to exploit our platform,' a spokesperson said. If convicted, Calderon faces up to five years in federal prison for each charge. The DOJ also indicated that others involved in the hoax may face legal consequences.
New York Post
18-07-2025
- New York Post
California illegal immigrant, mom faked ICE ‘kidnapping' for fundraiser scam and to ‘smear' federal agents: DOJ
An illegal immigrant and mother was arrested for staging a fake 'kidnapping' — where bounty hunters took her at gunpoint and tried forcing her to self-deport at a fast-food restaurant — to scam people and 'smear federal law enforcement.' Yuriana Julia 'Juli' Pelaez Calderon, 41, was charged with conspiracy and making false statements to federal officers over the elaborate scheme on Thursday, according to the Department of Justice. '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,' US Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement. 6 The DOJ announced charges against Yuriana Julia 'Juli' Pelaez Calderon, accusing her of orchestrating a fake kidnapping by federal immigration agents to generate sympathy and solicit donations. KTLA 5 'The conduct alleged in today's complaint shows this hoax kidnapping was a well-orchestrated conspiracy.' The hoax kicked off when Calderon's family and attorneys held a press conference on June 30, saying armed men ambushed her in two unmarked trucks at a Jack in the Box restaurant parking lot in downtown Los Angeles. Her family claimed that the men brought Calderon to San Ysidro, where 'she was presented to [a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement] staffer' and 'presented with voluntary self-deportation paperwork,' according to officials. The family's attorney claimed that Calderon refused to sign the paperwork and demanded to speak with a judge and a lawyer, but instead was 'punished' and held in a warehouse. Following the media attention, Calderon's daughter created a GoFundMe page and requested $4,500. 'My name is Angeline Gonzalez, and my mother, Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon, was taken by masked men in an unmarked vehicle on June 25th,' the since-deleted page read. 6 Family, friends, and community members of Calderon during a Los Angeles, California, on June 30, 2025. REUTERS The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) vehemently denied the claims that the Los Angeles mother was abducted. DHS agents launched an investigation into the alleged kidnapping, spending days looking for Calderon, and at one point, had ICE agents searching 'detention cell to detention cell,' according to officials. Agents located Calderon in a shopping plaza parking lot in Bakersfield on July 5. Authorities stated that she continued to assert she had been kidnapped and held 'with others.' 6 Calderon is seen on surveillance footage walking around after her family claimed she had been kidnapped. KTLA 5 6 Agents located Calderon in a shopping plaza parking lot in Bakersfield on July 5. KTLA 5 However, surveillance footage showed Calderon leaving a Jack in the Box parking lot and getting into a sedan, and telephone records also indicate the story was a hoax, according to the DOJ. Before the hoax was foiled, Calderon's family planned to hold another press conference on July 6 to increase donations for her GoFundMe. They had also allegedly created fabricated photos of her 'rescue' to make it appear as if she was abused by ICE agents, officials said. 'Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon was never arrested or kidnapped by ICE or bounty hunters—this criminal illegal alien scammed innocent Americans for money and diverted limited DHS resources from removing the worst of the worst from Los Angeles communities,' the DHS said. The agency then bashed 'politicians and activist media' for peddling 'smears that were designed to demonize law enforcement and evade accountability.' 'Calderon will now face justice and the media and politicians who swallowed and pushed this garbage should be embarrassed,' DHS said. 6 Prior to the hoax being foiled, Calderon's family planned to hold another press conference on July 6 to increase donations for her GoFundMe. REUTERS 6 Authorities stated that she continued to assert she had been kidnapped and held 'with others.' KTLA 5 A spokesperson for the online fundraising site told KTLA it has 'zero tolerance for the misuse of our platform, or any attempt to exploit the generosity of others,' and that her page was removed and the '$80 raised was refunded.' 'At no point did the organizer have access to any of the funds,' the spokesperson said. Calderon faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison if convicted for each charge. The DOJ indicated that additional individuals involved could also face charges.
Los Angeles Times
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
L.A. woman faked immigration ‘kidnapping' in scheme for donations, feds charge
Federal prosecutors have charged a woman with faking her abduction by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in downtown Los Angeles last month, alleging a 'well-orchestrated conspiracy' meant to elicit public sympathy and donations based on her undocumented status. Authorities on Thursday announced that Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon, 41, of South L.A., has been charged with conspiracy and making false statements to federal officers, with prison terms of up to five years. She has not yet entered a plea and is expected to make her initial court appearance in the coming weeks. '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,' U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli said in a statement. On June 25, friends, family members and activists gathered outside a Jack in the Box in downtown to decry what they said was the 'kidnapping' of a local mother by a group of masked men. A lawyer for the family told reporters that Calderon, who goes by Juli, had pulled into the fast food restaurant's parking lot to evade two trucks that had followed her down Alameda Street. As she did so, the lawyer said, the trucks pulled in behind her and a group of armed men who didn't identify themselves sprang out and took her into their custody. The lawyer said Calderon recounted being taken to a parking lot near the San Ysidro border crossing, where she was pressured by ICE staffers to sign self-deportation paperwork. She claimed her demands to see a judge or an attorney were ignored, and she was instead bundled into an unmarked vehicle and taken to a warehouse in an undisclosed location. The attorney said Calderon alleged she was only given water and denied access to showers, beds or blankets. Attempts to reach her attorney for comment on Thursday were unsuccessful. At the time of the press conference, numerous immigrant rights groups showed up to support Calderon, including the Immigrant Defenders Law Center and Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, of which Calderon is a member. They spoke about working to find Calderon in ICE's detainee locator system, and contacting numerous branches of DHS. Despite their search, no evidence of Calderon's whereabouts could be found. Calderon's daughter started a GoFundMe page to raise money, saying that the family couldn't find her mother after she was taken by masked men in an unmarked vehicle 'when she was on her way to work.' The fundraiser had only raised $80 of its stated goal of $4,500, as of Thursday. But, according to an affidavit federal authorities filed in support of the criminal complaint, Calderon's story was entirely made up. Homeland Security Investigations agents began searching for Calderon over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, eventually tracking her down to the parking lot of a shopping plaza in Bakersfield. Calderon continued to claim she was taken by masked men and held in custody with others, the affidavit said. Investigators tracked Calderon's movements through cellphone records and surveillance footage that showed her leaving the Jack in the Box parking lot in a sedan parked nearby. She also created what law enforcement suspect were doctored photos of her 'rescue,' which made it appear as though she had been abused while in ICE custody. The case came amid an ongoing White House crackdown that has swept up hundreds of immigrants and sown fear across the region, and prompted local, state and federal leaders to demand that immigration agents identify themselves. Concerns have spiked in recent weeks about ICE impersonators, the use of masks by federal agents to conduct ICE raids, and rumors about 'bounty hunters.' A man in Huntington Park was arrested for impersonating an ICE officer, and L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger expressed concern about 'bad players' exploiting the anonymity of ICE agents to wreak havoc. Some people have taken to calling 911 to report a kidnapping that turned out to be an ICE operation. Law enforcement leaders, including LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, have said that their officers would investigate to ensure there is no foul play but not interfere with federal agents carrying out their business.
