‘Hoax: The Kidnapping of Sherri Papini’: Lifetime's movie on the kidnapper who kidnapped herself

After pleading guilty, Sherri was not only ordered to pay restitution to the victims of her crimes but also serve a 18-month sentence
Lifetime's ‘Hoax: The Kidnapping of Sherri Papini’ movie poster (IMDB)
Lifetime's ‘Hoax: The Kidnapping of Sherri Papini’ movie poster (IMDB)

This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers' discretion advised.

Lifetime is making a true crime movie called ‘Hoax: The Kidnapping of Sherri Papini’ based on the fake kidnapping of Sherri Papini by herself, and everybody wants to know where Sherri Papini is now. 

So, why would someone fake their own kidnapping? Could it be a need for a secret vacation, an interest in true crime, or perhaps a desire for financial gain? Ultimately, the motivations behind such a deception can vary, but the financial gain is most often the reason. Well, Sherri Papini, a California mom who used to reside in Redding, definitely received payback over her 'fake' kidnapping, and received a big financial blow to boot. After her lies were revealed, Papini was charged with lying to federal agents and defrauding the state's victim compensation board. 

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How her life unfolded post-case? 

On April 18, 2022, Sherri plead guilty to a single count of mail fraud and one count of making false statements. The plea deal allowed Sherri to waive her right to a jury trial, and she was ordered to pay $308,000 in restitution to the California Victim Compensation Board, the Shasta County Sheriff's office, the FBI, and the Social Security Administration. Sherri's sentencing marked the end of a long legal process that began when she was first arrested and charged with the crimes in 2020. According to court documents, Sherri engaged in a scheme to defraud the California Victim Compensation Board, the Shasta County Sheriff's office, the FBI, and the Social Security Administration. 

After pleading guilty, Sherri was ordered to pay restitution to the victims of her crimes, as well as serve a 18-month sentence in Federal Correctional Institution Victorville, a medium security federal prison in San Bernardino County.

Papini(R) alleged that her husband, Keith (L) has been abusing her to her ex-lover, Reyes (Abc 10 screenshot/ YouTube)
Papini(R) alleged that her husband (now divorced)  Keith (L) was abusing her in order to stay with her ex-lover, Reyes (Abc 10 screenshot/ YouTube)

Victorville is a medium-security federal prison located in the desert region of San Bernardino County. The prison has a capacity of 1,908 inmates and houses both male and female prisoners. It is home to a number of educational and vocational programs, including GED classes, job training, and substance abuse treatment. While serving her sentence, Sherri will have access to these programs, as well as the opportunity to participate in religious services and other recreational activities. Upon completion of her sentence, Sherri will also be required to serve a term of supervised release, during which she will be subject to certain conditions and restrictions.

To find out more about Sherri Pepini, watch Lifetime’s true crime movie called ‘Hoax: The Kidnapping of Sherri Papini’  on Jan 28, 2023 at 8/7c on Lifetime.

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