Northern California woman arrested for lying in 2016 self-kidnapping can be released on bond
REDDING, Calif. (KION-TV) UPDATE MARCH 8, 2022 at 4:41 p.m.-- A Sacramento County judge ordered that a woman who is accused of faking her own kidnapping in 2016 may be released from jail on a $120,000 bond.
The judge also ordered that Sherri Papini can only travel in the eastern district of California, must give up her passport, needs to undergo psychiatric treatment, surrender ammunition and can not be in contact with any witness except for her family.
A preliminary hearing is set for March 25.
If convicted Papini could face up to 25 years in prison.
Papini remains in custody according to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office.
ORIGINAL STORY
A Northern California woman has been arrested for allegedly lying to federal law authorities in 2016 and faking her own kidnapping.
US Attorney Philip Talbert said that Sherri Papini, 39, of Redding was charged for making false statements to federal law enforcement and engaging in mail fraud.
“Shasta County Sheriff’s Office immediately began investigating, calling on the assistance of the FBI. Countless hours were spent following leads, all in an effort to bring this woman back to her family,” Talbert said in a statement. “Ultimately, the investigation revealed that there was no kidnapping and that time and resources that could have been used to investigate actual crime, protect the community, and provide resources to victims were wasted based on the defendant’s conduct.”
On November 2, 2016, Papini's husband reported her missing and a massive search was initiated in Shasta County.
Papini was found 22 days later near Woodland in Yolo County, injured and with bindings on her body and a brand on her right shoulder.
She claimed to prosecutors at the time that she was held against her will at gunpoint by two Hispanic women, and provided details for a sketch to the FBI.
An investigation revealed that Papini was several hundred miles away in Costa Mesa in Orange County and staying with a former boyfriend.
According to authorities she also harmed herself to support her claims.
Papini faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on making false statements charge and up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the mail fraud charge.
