(KTLA) The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday announced charges against a 41-year-old undocumented mother from South Los Angeles, accusing her of orchestrating a fake kidnapping by federal immigration agents to generate sympathy and solicit donations.

Yuriana Julia “Juli” Pelaez Calderon is charged with conspiracy and making false statements to federal officers.

On June 30, Calderon’s family and attorney held a news conference claiming she had been taken from a fast-food restaurant parking lot in downtown Los Angeles, driven to the U.S.-Mexico border, and told to self-deport. At the same time, her daughter launched a GoFundMe campaign, and federal agents began searching for Calderon since she was not in their records as being in immigration custody, according to the DOJ.

Authorities later found Calderon at a shopping plaza in Bakersfield, California.

“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. Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement. “The conduct alleged in today’s complaint shows this hoax kidnapping was a well-orchestrated conspiracy.”

The June 30 news conference drew significant media attention as the family and attorney alleged Calderon was taken by “bounty hunters” working for the government. They claimed the mother of three and local community activist was driven to San Ysidro, presented with self-deportation paperwork, and, after refusing to sign, was moved to a warehouse at an undisclosed location where she was denied food.

In a post on X, the Department of Homeland Security immediately called the case a “hoax.”

“This woman was never arrested or ‘kidnapped’ by ICE,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told local affiliate KTLA, without providing further details at the time.

The DOJ said surveillance footage shows Calderon leaving a Jack in the Box parking lot and getting into a sedan, and telephone records also indicate that she fabricated the story, prosecutors said.

“Calderon and her family knew that law enforcement was searching for her and feared for her safety, but Calderon and her family did not come forward,” the DOJ said. “Instead, Calderon created what law enforcement believe to be fabricated photos of her ‘rescue,’ made to look as if she was abused while in ICE custody and planned to hold a press conference on July 6 to increase donations to the GoFundMe page and to obtain other benefits.”

A spokesperson for GoFundMe released the following statement to KTLA:

“GoFundMe has zero tolerance for the misuse of our platform, or any attempt to exploit the generosity of others, and cooperates with law enforcement investigations of those accused of wrongdoing. This fundraiser was removed from the platform and the $80 raised was refunded; at no point did the organizer have access to any of the funds. The GoFundMe Giving Guarantee guarantees donors a full refund in the rare case something isn’t right.”

If convicted, Calderon faces up to five years in federal prison for each charge, the DOJ said. She remains in custody awaiting her first court appearance.

Essayli indicated that additional individuals could face charges.

This is a developing story.