Federal prosecutors accused women of forgerying immigrants and customs agents in downtown Los Angeles last month, claiming a “well-organized conspiracy” aimed at eliciting public sympathy and donations based on her undocumented position.
Authorities announced Thursday that 41-year-old Uliana Julia Pera Escalderon from South LA has been accused of making conspiracy and false statements to federal officers on prison terms of up to five years. She has not yet entered the plea and is expected to appear in the first courthouse in the coming weeks.
“The dangerous rhetoric of ice agents ‘inviting’ is that illegal immigrants are recklessly engaging in politicians, reflected in the media, inflaming the public, and distrust brave federal agents,” we said. Bill Essayri said in a statement.
On June 25, friends, family and activists gathered outside Jack inside a box in downtown accused a group of masked men of stating it was a “trick” of local mothers.
A family lawyer told reporters that Calderon, who attends Julie, pulled into the parking lot of a fast food restaurant, avoiding two trucks that led to her Alameda Street. As she did, the lawyer said, the truck was pulled behind her, and a group of armed men who had not identified themselves jumped out and took her into custody.
The lawyer said Calderon was taken to a parking lot near the San Isidro border intersection, where ice staff were pressured to sign self-denial documents. She insisted her request to see a judge or lawyer being ignored, instead being bundled into an unmarked vehicle and taken to a warehouse in a private location. The lawyer said Calderon was given only water and denied access to a shower, bed or blanket.
Attempts to contact her attorney for comments Thursday failed.
At the time of the press conference, many immigration rights groups appeared to support Calderon, including the Immigration Defender Law Center, which Calderon is a member, and the Californian Alliance for Community Empowerment. They spoke about working to find Calderon in the Ice detainee locator system and contacting numerous branches of DHS. Despite their search, no evidence of Calderon’s location was found.
Calderon’s daughter began a GofundMe page saying that the family couldn’t find her mother after being taken by a masked man in a vehicle that was not marked “when she was on her way to work.” The fundraiser had only raised $80, a target of $4,500 as of Thursday.
However, Calderon’s story was completely compensated, according to federal authorities in the affidavit filed in support of criminal charges.
Agents in the Homeland Security Investigation began searching for Calderon on the holiday weekend of July 4th, and eventually followed her to the parking lot at the Bakersfield shopping plaza. Calderon continued to claim that she was taken by a masked man and detained with others, the affidavit said.
Investigators tracked Calderon’s movements through cell phone records and surveillance footage. She also created what a law enforcement suspect was a photograph of a doctor in her “rescue.”
The incident has wiped out hundreds of migrants amid ongoing White House crackdowns, owned fear across the region, and urged local, state and federal leaders to demand immigration agents identify themselves.
Over the past few weeks, concerns have skyrocketed over ice spoofing, federal agents using masks to carry out ice attacks, and rumors about “bounty hunters.” A Huntington Park man was arrested for impersonating an ICE officer, and LA County manager Kathryn Burger has expressed concern about “bad players” who have wreaked havoc on the anonymity of ICE agents.
Some people are calling 911 to report an invitation that turned out to be an ice surgery. Law enforcement leaders, including LAPD chief Jim McDonnell, said their officers are investigating to ensure there are no foul plays but will ensure they do not interfere with federal agents who carry out their business.
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