LA Mother Charged with Federal Crimes for Faking Immigration Kidnapping

Allegations of a Fabricated Kidnapping

• 💡 A 41-year-old undocumented mother from South L.A., Julie Calderon, is accused by the U.S. Department of Justice of orchestrating a fake kidnapping by federal immigration agents.
• 🎯 The alleged hoax was reportedly designed to generate public sympathy and solicit donations.
• 📌 Calderon claimed she was kidnapped from a Jack in the Box parking lot by federal agents in unmarked cars, but investigators found this to be untrue.

Investigation and Findings

• 🔍 Federal investigators state that Calderon was never in federal custody.
• 📍 She was located on July 4th in a Bakersfield mall parking lot with another woman.
• 📸 Investigators reportedly have photos that Calderon created to falsely depict herself as being in custody and mistreated.
• ⚠️ The U.S. Attorney's Office released a statement condemning the dangerous rhetoric that ICE agents are kidnapping immigrants, calling it reckless and damaging to federal agents.

Legal Ramifications

• ⚖️ Julie Calderon, a citizen of Mexico who has lived in L.A. for over 20 years, faces federal charges including conspiracy and making false statements.
• 📄 The U.S. Attorney's Office has indicated that all involved will face the full consequences of their conduct under federal law.
• 💬 The missing persons investigation by LAPD has been closed, and the U.S. Attorney's Office states the case is ongoing, though no one else has been charged so far.