Audio By Carbonatix
A woman who faked her own high-profile kidnapping has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for making false statements to the FBI.
Sherri Papini, 39, from California went missing in November 2016 after going for a run.
She appeared three weeks later on Thanksgiving claiming two Hispanic women had kidnapped her, sparking a multi-state manhunt.
The FBI later concluded she was staying at an ex-boyfriend's house and had injured herself as part of the scheme.
In a US District Court in Sacramento on Monday, Papini apologised, saying she was guilty of lying and "dishonour".
"I am so sorry to the many people who have suffered because of me - the people who sacrificed for the broken woman I was, the people who gave willingly to help me in a time that I so desperately needed help," she said, reading from a prepared statement.
"I am choosing to humbly accept all responsibility."
Under an April deal with prosecutors, Papini pleaded guilty to one count each of lying to a federal officer and mail fraud.
In a sentencing memo, Papini's lawyer William Portanova blamed the hoax on her "painful early years [that] twisted and froze her in myriad ways".
Mr Portanova had asked for minimal prison time, telling the court the humiliation of her actions would be its own life sentence.
In exchange for Papini's guilty plea, prosecutors sought a lighter sentence - between eight and 14 months in custody - far below the 25 year maximum she could have faced.
Papini also agreed to pay $300,000 (£231,000), part of which will cover the costs of the police investigation. She will also spend three years under supervised custody after her release from jail.
News of her disappearance first emerged in November 2016, when her husband reported her missing after she failed to collect their children from daycare.
Three weeks later, she was found battered and bruised on the side of the road claiming she was abducted at gunpoint. The FBI concluded this March that the whole affair was staged.
In a criminal complaint, the FBI said she had been staying voluntarily at a former boyfriend's home and had been communicating with him using prepaid "burner phones" as early as December 2015.
Her lawyer, Mr Portanova, has previously said she suffered from mental health issues.
In the sentencing memo, he referenced her "chameleonic personalities", which he said pathologically "drove her to simultaneously crave family security and the freedom of youth".
Latest Stories
-
“I am strengthened by Psalm 118 vs 22” – Bawumia highlights cornerstone verse
2 minutes -
Ledzokuku South Circuit triumphs in maiden Ga language competition as officials push cultural revival
6 minutes -
Government deepens private sector partnerships to tackle housing deficit
7 minutes -
T-bills auction: Government records 253% oversubscription; interest rates fall to 8.6%.
18 minutes -
AGI pushes for cocoa processing plants in growing areas to boost value addition
18 minutes -
Luv FM and The Crush Bar create great Vals Day vibes for couples
20 minutes -
A/R: Three schools support KATH Blood Bank in MTN-sponsored donation drive
23 minutes -
Over 1,600 parcels of suspected narcotics intercepted in three separate operations
28 minutes -
Ghana to become Africa’s 8th biggest economy in 2026
33 minutes -
Bawumia urges NPP members forgive eachother and move past campaign disagreements
37 minutes -
Teacher Trainees’ Association welcomes suspension of CETAG strike, calls for renewed commitment
46 minutes -
Motorbike raids on villages kill dozens in Nigeria
53 minutes -
UK wants action taken on Russia after Navalny frog poisoning, Cooper says
53 minutes -
Ukraine’s ex-energy minister detained while attempting to leave country
53 minutes -
Bekwai MP opposes creation of 24-Hour Economy Secretariat; advises Gov’t to use the money to pay cocoa farmers instead.
55 minutes
