In a controversial incident, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faced criticism for sharing an alleged ICE kidnapping story on social media, which later proved to be a hoax, Fox News reported.
The Department of Homeland Security debunked the kidnapping claims of Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon, leading to her facing criminal charges.
The story, initially shared by Mayor Bass on July 1, depicted the dramatic supposed kidnapping of Calderon, a local woman, allegedly taken by ICE while on her way to work.
Reacting swiftly, the Department of Homeland Security denied any involvement through a statement on its official X account, labeling the incident as a hoax crafted by Calderon.
According to DHS, Calderon, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, fabricated the kidnapping ordeal where she claimed to be taken forcibly by men in uniforms, attempting to coerce her into signing deportation papers.
This led the Los Angeles Police Department to dive into an investigation, originally treating the situation as a genuine missing person case and prompting a review by DHS.
A diligent investigation by DHS uncovered several inconsistencies in Calderon’s account, with surveillance footage notably contradicting her story.
Calderon was found on July 5 in a shopping plaza parking lot in Bakersfield, California, by Homeland Security Investigations agents, still adhering to her initial kidnapping claims.
The findings led to an explicit DHS statement, asserting that Calderon "was NEVER arrested or kidnapped by ICE or bounty hunters," emphasizing the misuse of resources and public deception involved.
The mayor's endorsement of the kidnapping account sparked significant backlash, with DHS urging her to retract her statements and prevent the spread of misinformation.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) also weighed in, critiquizing Mayor Bass for spreading a narrative that they claimed unjustly demonized ICE agents.
Amidst the controversy, Calderon’s daughter initiated a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to support her mother’s case, which was subsequently removed after the truth surfaced, as confirmed by a GoFundMe spokesperson to Fox News Digital.
Calderon now faces legal consequences, charged with conspiracy and making false statements to federal officers, each carrying a potential five-year imprisonment.
She is currently detained in U.S. immigration custody, awaiting a trial that could further examine the implications of her actions on public perceptions and law enforcement credibility.
The case has underscored the necessity for public officials to thoroughly vet and verify information before circulating it, highlighting the potential ramifications of spreading unconfirmed stories.
