10 il 12 13, 4 15 16 7 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Case 2:22-cr-00070-WBS Document 26 Filed 04/12/22 Page 1 of 14 PHILLIP A. TALBERT United States Attorney VERONICA M.A. Al SHELLEY D. WEGER Assistant United States Attorneys 501 I Street, Suite 10-100 Sacramento, CA 95814 Telephone: (916) 554-2700 Facsimile: (916) 554-2900 RIA Attorneys for Plaintiff United States of America IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT. EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CASE NO, 2:22-CR-0070 WBS. Plaintiff, PLEA AGREEMENT SHERRI PAPINI, L INTRODUCTION A. Scope of Agreement. The Information in this case charges the defendant with violations of 18 C. § 1341 — mail fraud (Counts One through Thirty-Four), and 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2)— making false statements (Count Thirty-Five). This document contains the complete plea agreement between the United States Attomey’s Office for the Eastern District of California (the “government”) and the defendant regarding this case, This plea agreement is limited to the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California and cannot bind any other federal, state, or local prosecuting, administrative, or regulatory authorities, B. ‘ourt Not a Party. The Court is not a party to this plea agreement. Sentencing is a matter solely within the PLEA AGREEMENT 110 il 12 13, 4 15 16 7 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Case 2:22-cr-00070-WBS Document 26 Filed 04/12/22 Page 2 of 14 discretion of the Court, and the Court may take into consideration any and alll facts and circumstances concerning the criminal activities of defendant, including activities which may not have been charged in the Information, The Court is under no obligation to accept any recommendations made by the government, and the Court may in its discretion impose any sentence it deems appropriate up to and including the statutory maximum stated in this plea agreement. If the Court should impose any sentence up to the maximum established by the statute, the defendant cannot, for that reason alone, withdraw her guilty plea, and she will remain bound to fulfill all of the obligations under this plea agreement, The defendant understands that neither the prosecutor, defense counsel, nor the Court can make a binding prediction or promis regarding the sentence she will receive. T. DEFENDANT’S OBLIGATIONS AL Guilty Plea. The defendant will plead guilty to Count Three, mail fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1341, and Count Thirty-Five, making false statements in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2). The defendant agrees that she is in fact guilty of these charges and that the facts set forth in the Factual Basis for Plea attached hereto as Exhibit A are accurate, The defendant agrees that this plea agreement will be filed with the Court and become a part of the record of the case. ‘The defendant understands and agrees that he will not be allowed to withdraw her pleas should the Court not follow the government’s sentencing recommendations The defendant agrees that the statements made by her in signing this Agreement, including the factual admissions set forth in the factual basis, shall be admissible and useable against the defendant by the United States in any subsequent criminal or civil proceedings, even if the defendant fails to enter a guilty plea pursuant to this Agreement, ‘The defendant waives any rights under Fed. R. Crim, P. 11(f) and Fed. R. Evid, 410, to the extent that these rules are inconsistent with this paragraph or with this Agreement generally. 1 Waiver of Indictment: The defendant acknowledges that under the United States Constitution she is entitled to be indicted by a grand jury on the charges to which she is pleading guilty and that pursuant to PLEA AGREEMENT 210 il 12 13, 4 15 16 7 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Case 2:22-cr-00070-WBS Document 26 Filed 04/12/22 Page 3 of 14 Fed.R.Crim.P. 7(b) she agrees to waive any and all rights she has to being prosecuted by way of indictment to the charges set forth in the information. The defendant agrees that at a time set by the Court, she will sign a written waiver of prosecution by Indictment and consent to proceed by Information rather than by Indictment, B. Restitution. The Mandatory Victim Restitution Act requires the Court to order restitution to the vietims of certain offenses. 1, MVRA- Multi-victim and/or multiple counts Defendant agrees that her conduct is governed by the Mandatory Restitution Act pursuant to 18, U.S.C. § 3663A(c)(1)(AM(i) and agrees to pay the full amount of restitution to all victims affected by this offense, including, but not limited to, the victims covered in the factual basis, vietims covered in those counts to be dismissed or not charged as part of the plea agreement pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3663A(a)(3), and other victims as a result of the defendant's conduct for the offenses charged from the periods of December 2015 through the present day. The amount of restitution will be at least $158,261.75 dollars to the vietims listed below: i, California Vietims Compensation Board (“CalVCB"): at least $30,694.15 ii, United States Social Security Administration (“SSA”): at least $127,567.60 2, Non-MVRA type cases - Voluntarily agrees to pay restitution as part of agreement: In addition, defendant agrees to pay restitution pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3663(a)(3) in the amount of $151,424.58 to the victims listed below: i. Shasta County Sheriff's Office (“SCSO”): $148,866.23 ii, Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”): $2,558.35 Defendant agrees that all criminal monetary penalties imposed by the court, including restitution, will be due in full immediately at time of sentencing and subject to immediate enforcement by the government. Defendant agrees that any payment schedule or plan set by the court is merely a minimum. and does not foreclose the United States from collecting all criminal monetary penalties at any time through all available means. PLEA AGREEMENT10 il 12 13, 4 15 16 7 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Case 2:22-cr-00070-WBS Document 26 Filed 04/12/22 Page 4 of 14 Defendant further agrees that she will not seek to discharge any restitution obligation or any part of such obligation in any bankruptey proceeding. Defendant shall not sell, encumber, transfer, convey, or otherwise dispose of any of his assets without prior written consent of the United States Attorney, except that the defendant may sell, transfer or convey personal property (including used vehicles and personal items, but not financial instruments, ‘ownership interests in business entities or real property) with an aggregate value of less than $5,000. Payment of restitution shall be by cashier's or certified check made payable to the Clerk of the Court. Cc. Fine, The defendant reserves the right to argue to Probation and at sentencing that she is unable to pay a fine, and that no fine should be imposed. The defendant understands that it is her burden to affirmatively prove that she is unable to pay a fine, and agrees to provide a financial statement under penalty of perjury to the Probation Officer and the government in advance of the issuance of the draft Presentence Investigation Report, along with supporting documentation. The government retains the right to oppose the waiver ofa fine, If the Court imposes a fine, the defendant agrees to pay such fine if and as ordered by the Court, up to the statutory maximum fine for the defendant's offenses. D. Special Assessment, The defendant agrees to pay a special assessment of $200 at the time of sentencing by delivering a check or money order payable to the United States District Court to the United States Probation Office immediately before the sentencing hearing. The defendant understands that this plea agreement is voidable at the option of the government if she fails to pay the assessment prior to that hearing. Ifthe defendant is unable to pay the special assessment at the time of sentencing, she agrees to earn the money to pay the assessment, if necessary by participating in the Inmate Financial Responsibility Program. E. Violation of Plea Agreement by Defendant/Withdrawal of Pleas. If the defendant violates this plea agreement in any way, withdraws her plea, or tries to withdraw her plea, this plea agreement is voidable at the option of the government. If the government elects to void the agreement based on the defendant’s violation, the government will no longer be bound by its representations to the defendant concerning the limits on criminal prosecution and sentencing as set PLEA AGREEMENT 410 il 12 13, 4 15 16 7 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Case 2:22-cr-00070-WBS Document 26 Filed 04/12/22 Page 5 of 14 forth herein. A defendant violates the plea agreement by committing any crime or providing or procuring any statement or testimony which is knowingly false, misleading, or materially incomplete in any litigation or sentencing process in this case, or engages in any post-plea conduct constituting obstruction of justice. Varying from stipulated Guidelines application or agreements regarding arguments as to 18 United States Code section 3553, as set forth in this agreement, personally or through counsel, also constitutes a violation of the plea agreement. The government also shall have the right (1) to prosecute the defendant on any of the counts to which she pleaded guilty; (2) to reinstate any counts that may be dismissed pursuant to this plea agreement; and (3) to file any new charges that would otherwise be barred by this plea agreement. The defendant shall thereafter be subject to prosecution for any federal criminal violation of which the government has knowledge. The decision to pursue any or all of these options is solely in the dis sretion of the United States Attomey’s Office. By signing this plea agreement, the defendant agrees to waive any objections, motions, and defenses that the defendant might have to the government’s decision, Any prosecutions that are not time-barred by the applicable statute of limitations as of the date of this plea agreement may be ‘commenced in accordance with this paragraph, notwithstanding the expiration of the statute of limitations between the signing of this plea agreement and the commencement of any such prosecutions. The defendant agrees not to raise any objections based on the passage of time with respect to such counts including, but not limited to, any statutes of limitation or any objections based on the Speedy Trial Act or the Speedy Trial Clause of the Sixth Amendment to any counts that were not time-barred as of the date of this plea agreement, ‘The determination of whether the defendant has violated the plea agreement will be under a probable cause standard. In addition, (1) all statements made by the defendant to the government or other designated law enforcement agents, or any testimony given by the defendant before a grand jury or other tribunal, whether before or after this plea agreement, shall be admissible in evidence in any criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings hereafter brought against the defendant; and (2) the defendant shall assert no claim under the United States Constitution, any statute, Rule 11(f) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 410 of the Federal Rules of Evidence, or any other federal rule, that statements made by the defendant before or after this plea agreement, or any leads derived therefrom, should be suppressed. PLEA AGREEMENT 510 il 12 13, 4 15 16 7 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Case 2:22-cr-00070-WBS Document 26 Filed 04/12/22 Page 6 of 14 By signing this plea agreement, the defendant waives any and all rights in the foregoing respects. F. Asset Disclosur The defendant agrees to make a full and complete disclosure of her assets and financial condition, and will complete the United States Attorney's Office’s “Authorization to Release Information” and “Financial Disclosure Statement” within three (3) weeks from the entry of the defendant’s change of plea, including supporting documentation, ‘The defendant also agrees to have the Court enter an order to that effect. The defendant understands that if she fails to complete truthfully and provide the described documentation to the United States Attorney’s Office within the allotted time, she will be considered in violation of the agreement, and the government shall be entitled to the remedies set forth in section ILE above. Defendant expressly authorizes the United States to immediately obtain a credit report to evaluate defendant's ability to satisfy any monetary penalty imposed by the court. Defendant also authorizes the U.S. Attomney’s Office to inspect and copy all financial documents and information held by the US. Probation Office. i. THE GOVERNMENT’S OBLIGATIONS A Dismissals/Other Charges. The government agrees to move, at the time of sentencing, to dismiss without prejudice the remaining counts in the pending information, The government also agrees not to bring any other charges arising from the conduct outlined in the Factual Basis attached hereto as Exhibit A. Additionally, the government agrees not to bring any charges related to any alleged violations regarding defrauding the United States Social Security Administration related to Social Security Disability benefits issued to Sherri Papini based on her supposed “kidnapping” from November 2016 up through the date of March 28, 2022. ‘The government agrees to the above so long as this agreement is not voided as set forth herein, or as provided in paragraphs II.E (Violation of Plea Agreement by Defendant/Withdrawal of Pleas), VIB (Stipulations Affecting Guideline Calculation), and VIL.B (Waiver of Appeal and Collateral Attack) herein. PLEA AGREEMENT 610 il 12 13, 4 15 16 7 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Case 2:22-cr-00070-WBS Document 26 Filed 04/12/22 Page 7 of 14 B. Recommendations. 1. Incarceration Range. The government will recommend that the defendant be sentenced to the low end of the applicable guideline range as determined by the Court 2. Acceptance of Responsibility The government will recommend a two-level reduction (if the offense level is less than 16) or a three-level reduction (if the offense level reaches 16) in the computation of her offense level if the defendant clearly demonstrates acceptance of responsibility for her conduct as defined in U.S.S.G. §3EL.1. This includes the defendant meeting with and assisting the probation officer in the preparation of the pre-sentence report, being truthful and candid with the probation officer, and not otherwise engaging in conduct that constitutes obstruction of justice within the meaning of U.S.S.G § 3C1.1, either in the preparation of the pre-sentence report or during the sentencing proceeding, C. Use of Information for Sentencing. The government is free to provide full and accurate information to the Court and Probation, including answering any inquiries made by the Court and/or Probation and rebutting any inaccurate statements or arguments by the defendant, her attorney, Probation, or the Court, ‘The defendant also understands and agrees that nothing in this Plea Agreement bars the government from defending on appeal or collateral review any sentence that the Court may impose. IV. ELEMENTS OF THE OFFENSE Ata trial, the government would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the following elements of the offenses to which the defendant is pleading guilty: A. Count Three, Mail Fraud in Violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1341. 1, First, the defendant knowingly participated in or devised a scheme or plan to defraud, or a scheme or plan for obtaining money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, or omitted facts; 2. Second, the statements made or facts omitted as part of the scheme were material; that is, they had a natural tendency to influence, or were capable of influencing, a person to part with money or property; PLEA AGREEMENT10 il 12 13, 4 15 16 7 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Case 2:22-cr-00070-WBS Document 26 Filed 04/12/22 Page 8 of 14 3. Third, the defendant acted with the intent to defraud; that is, the intent to deceive and cheat; and 4. Fourth, the defendant used, or caused to be used, the mails to carry out or attempt to carry out an essential part of the scheme. B. Count Thirty-Five, Making False Statements in Violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2). 1 First, the defendant made a false statement; 2, Second, the false statement was made in a matter within the jurisdiction of an agency or department of the United States; 3. Third, the defendant acted willfully; that is, the defendant acted deliberately and with knowledge both that the statement was untrue and that her conduct was unlawful; and 4. Fourth, the statement was material to the activities or decisions of the federal agency; that is, it had a natural tendency to influence, or was capable of influencing, the agency's decisions or activities. The defendant fully understands the nature and elements of the crimes charged in the Information to which she is pleading guilty, together with the possible defenses thereto, and has discussed them with her attorney, V MAXIMUM SENTENCE AL Maximum Penalty. The maximum sentence that the Court can impose for Count Three, mail fraud in violation 18 USS.C. § 1341, is 20 years of incarceration, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, a three-year period of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100 The maximum sentence that the Court can impose for Count Thirty-Five, making false statements in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2) is 5 years of incarceration, a fine of $250,000, a three- ‘year period of supervised release and a special assessment of $100, By signing this plea agreement, the defendant also agrees that the Court can order the payment of, restitution for the full loss caused by the defendant’s wrongful conduct. The defendant agrees that the restitution order is not restricted to the amounts alleged in the specific counts to which she is pleading guilty. The defendant further agrees, as noted above, that she will not attempt to discharge in any present or future bankruptcy proceeding any restitution imposed by the Court. PLEA AGREEMENT 810 il 12 13, 4 15 16 7 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Case 2:22-cr-00070-WBS Document 26 Filed 04/12/22 Page 9 of 14 B. _ Violations of Supervised Release. The defendant understands that if she violates a condition of supervised release at any time during the term of supervised release, the Court may revoke the term of supervised release and require the defendant to serve up to three additional years imprisonment. |. SENTENCING DETERMI A. Statutory Authority. The defendant understands that the Court must consult the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and must take them into account when determining a final sentence. The defendant understands that the Court will determine a non-binding and advisory guideline sentencing range for this case pursuant to the Sentencing Guidelines and must take them into account when determining a final sentence. The defendant further understands that the Court will consider whether there is a basis for departure from the guideline sentencing range (either above or below the guideline sentencing range) because there exists an aggravating or mitigating circumstance of a kind, or to a degree, not adequately taken into consideration by the Sentencing Commission in formulating the Guidelines. ‘The defendant further understands that the Court, after consultation and consideration of the Sentencing Guidelines, must impose a sentence that is reasonable in light of the factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). B, Stipulations Affecting Guideline Calculation, The government and the defendant agree that there is no material dispute as to the following sentencing guidelines variables and therefore stipulate to the following: 1, Base Offense Level: +7 (U.S.S.G. § 2B1.1(@)(1)) 2. Loss Amount: +4 for over $15,000 loss (U.S.8.G. § 2B1.1(6)(1)() 3. Adjustments: + 2 for obstruction of justice (U.8.8.G. § 3C1.1) 4, Acceptance of Responsibility: See paragraph I1I.B.2 above 5. Criminal History: The parties estimate, but do not stipulate, that the defendant's criminal history category will be | 6. Sentencing Range: ‘The parties estimate, but do not stipulate, that the defendant’s sentencing range will be 8-14 months (The defendant understands that if the criminal history category differs from the parties” estimate, her Guidelines sentencing range may differ from that set forth here.) The parties agree that they will not seek or argue in support of any other specific offense PLEA AGREEMENT s10 il 12 13, 4 15 16 7 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Case 2:22-cr-00070-WBS Document 26 Filed 04/12/22 Page 10 of 14 characteristics, Chapter Three adjustments (other than the decrease for “Acceptance of Responsibility”), or cross-references, except that the government may move for a departure or an adjustment based on the defendant’s post-plea obstruction of justice (§3C1.1). Both parties agree not to move for, or argue in support of, any departure from the Sentencing Guidelines. The defendant is free to recommend to the Court whatever sentence she believes is appropriate under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). The government reserves the right to oppose any such recommendation, and will recommend a sentence at the low end of the applicable Guideline range as determined by the Court, VII. WAIVERS A. Waiver of Constitutional Rights. The defendant understands that by pleading guilty she is waiving the following constitutional rights (a) to plead not guilty and to persist in that plea if already made; (b) to be tried by a jury; (c) to be assisted at trial by an attorney, who would be appointed if necessary; (d) to pursue any affirmative defenses, Fourth Amendment or Fifth Amendment claims, constitutional challenges to the statutes of conviction, and other pretrial motions that have been filed or could be filed; (c) to subpoena witnesses to testify on her behalf; (f) to confront and cross-examine witnesses against her; and (g) not to be ‘compelled to incriminate herself, B, Waiver of Appeal and Collateral Attack, The defendant understands that the law gives the defendant a right to appeal her guilty plea, conviction, and sentence, The defendant agrees as part of her pleas, however, to give up the right to appeal the guilty plea, convietion, and the sentence imposed in this case as long as the sentence does not exceed the statutory maximums for the offenses to which she is pleading guilty, The defendant understands that this waiver includes, but is not limited to, any and all constitutional and/or legal challenges to the defendant’s conviction and guilty plea, including arguments that the statutes to which defendant is pleading guilty are unconstitutional, and any and all claims that the statement of facts attached to this agreement is insufficient to support the defendant's plea of guilty, The defendant specifically gives up the right to appeal any order of restitution the Court may impose ‘Notwithstanding the defendant's waiver of appeal, the defendant will retain the right to appeal if ‘one of the following circumstances occurs: (1) the sentence imposed by the District Court exceeds the PLEA AGREEMENT 1010 il 12 13, 4 15 16 7 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Case 2:22-cr-00070-WBS Document 26 Filed 04/12/22 Page 11 of 14 statutory maximum; and/or (2) the government appeals the sentence in the case. The defendant understands that these circumstances occur infrequently and that in almost all cases this Agreement constitutes a complete waiver of all appellate rights. In addition, regardless of the sentence the defendant receives, the defendant also gives up any right to bring a collateral attack, including a motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 or § 2241, challenging any aspect of the guilty plea, conviction, or sentence, except for non-waivable claims. ‘Notwithstanding the government's agreements in paragraph III.A above, if the defendant ever attempts to vacate her pleas, dismiss the underlying charges, or modify or set aside her sentence on any of the counts to which she is pleading guilty, the government shall have the rights set forth in Section ILE herein. C. Waiver of Attorneys" Fees and Costs. The defendant agrees to waive all rights under the “Hyde Amendment,” Section 617, P.L. 105- 119 (Nov. 26, 1997), to recover attorneys’ fees or other litigation expenses in connection with the investigation and prosecution of all charges in the above-captioned matter and of any related allegations (including without limitation any charges to be dismissed pursuant to this plea agreement and any charges previously dismissed). D. Impact of Plea on Defendant’s Immigration Status. Defendant recognizes that pleading guilty may have consequences with respect to her immigration status if she is not a citizen of the United States. Under federal law, a broad range of crimes are removable offenses, including offenses to which the defendant is pleading guilty. Removal and other immigration consequences are the subject of a separate proceeding, however, and defendant understands that no one, including her attorney or the district court, can predict to a certainty the effect of her conviction on her immigration status, Defendant nevertheless affirms that she wants to plead guilty regardless of any immigration consequences that her plea may entail, even if the consequence is her automatic removal from the United States, vu. VTIRE PLEA AGRI EME! Other than this plea agreement, no agreement, understanding, promise, or condition between the government and the defendant exists, nor will such agreement, understanding, promise, or condition PLEA AGREEMENT uMfe sts) 10 uw R 1B 14 15 16 7 18, 19 20 a 23 25 26 27 28 Case 2:22-cr-00070-WBS Document 26 Filed 04/12/22 Page 12 of 14 ‘exist unless it is committed to writing and signed by the defendant, counsel for the defendant, and counsel for the United States. IX. APPROVALS AND SIGNATURES A, Defense Counsel Thave read this plea agreement and have discussed it fully with my client. The plea agreement accurately and completely sets forth the entirety of the agreement. I concur in my client’s decision to plead guilty as set forth in this plea agreement. Dated: Attomey for Defendant B. Defendant: ‘have read this plea agreement and carefully reviewed every part of it with my attorney. I ‘understand it, and I voluntarily agree to it. Further, I have consulted with my attomey and fully ‘understand my rights with respect to the provisions of the Sentencing Guidelines that may apply tomy case, No other promises or inducements have been made to me, other than those contained in this plea agreement. In addition, no one has threatened or forced me in any way to enter into this plea agreement, Finally, Iam satisfied with the representation of my attorney in this cas Dated: ub APur ‘SHERRI PAPINI Defendant C. Attorney for United States: accept and agree to this plea agreement on behalf of the government. Dated: 4/12/2022 PHILLIP A. TALBERT WA ce ‘VERONICA M.A. ALEGRIA SHELLEY D. WEGER ‘Assistant United States Attorneys PLEA AGREEMENT aa)10 il 12 13, 4 15 16 7 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Case 2:22-cr-00070-WBS Document 26 Filed 04/12/22 Page 13 of 14 EXHIBIT “A” Factual Basis for Pleas Defendant Sherri PAPINI knowingly planned and participated in her own hoax kidnapping and then made materially false statements to FBI agents about the circumstances of her disappearance and ‘committed mail fraud based on her hoax kidnapping. As early as December 2015, PAPINT began ‘communicating with her ex-boyfriend (“Ex-Boyfriend”) and eventually communicated her plan to run away from her home and family in Redding, California, and requested Ex-Boyfriend’s assistance. PAPINI sought to conceal the existence of her communications with Ex-Boytriend by using her work phone and later prepaid cellular phones, despite the fact that PAPINI possessed her own personal cellular phone, PAPINI instructed Ex-Boyfriend to purchase prepaid cellular telephones that were not listed in her name, which he did in December 2015 and March 2016, Later, PAPINI instructed Ex-Boyfriend when and where to meet her in Redding, California, so that he could pick her up and drive her to Ex-Boyfriend’s residence in Costa Mesa, in Southern California. Starting on or around November I, 2016, Ex-Boyfriend drove a rental car to Redding, California, where he waited for further instructions from PAPINI. On November 2, 2016, at approximately 10:57 a.m., PAPINI used her prepaid cellular phone to send a text message to Ex Boyfriend. Around noon that day, PAPINI left her home in running attire and carrying her regular cellular telephone and the prepaid cellular telephone she had used to communicate with Ex-Boyfriend, PAPINI met Ex-Boyfriend at the location she designated near Sunrise Drive and voluntarily got into the rental car. Before doing so, PAPINI left her regular cellular telephone on the ground next to strands of her hair. PAPINI and Ex-Boyfriend traveled by car to Ex-Boyfriend’s residence in Costa Mesa, California. PAPINI voluntarily stayed at Ex-Boyfriend’s residence for over three weeks, until on or about November 23 or 24, 2016. During that time, PAPINI took steps to make it appear as if she had been physically abused. PAPINI stayed indoors and instructed Ex-Boyfriend to keep her presence at the house secret. On or about November 23 and 24, 2016, PAPINI and Ex-Boyfriend drove the rental car from Costa Mesa, California, to Northern California, Ex-Boyfriend dropped off PAPINI near Interstate 5 in or around Woodland, California, where PAPINI was eventually recovered by law enforcement, wearing various bindings to further her false narrative that she had been kidnapped. When interviewed by law enforcement, PAPINI stated falsely that two Hispanic women had abducted her at gunpoint, PAPINI repeated her false claims that she had been abducted by two Hispanic ‘women and provided additional details of her supposed kidnapping during additional interviews and communications with law enforcement officers that occurred between November 2016 and August 2020. ‘These communications included multiple conversations with a Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) sketch artist to create FBI “Wanted” posters based on PAPINI’s descriptions of the two Hispanic women she claimed abducted her. On or about August 13, 2020, PAPINI was voluntarily interviewed by law enforcement agents, including an agent from the FBI about her purported kidnapping. At the beginning of the interview, the FBI agent told PAPINI that it was a crime to lie to federal agents and asked if she understood. PAPINI shook her head up and down in a yes-like manner, acknowledging she understood. During the interview, PAPINI discussed details of the purported “kidnapping” and falsely stated the younger of the ‘wo kidnappers let her go and was the nicer of the two, and that the older kidnapper was really abusive and really mean and did all of the really terrible things. When the agents later confronted PAPINI with evidence that she was not in fact kidnapped but had instead voluntarily stayed with Ex-Boyttiend, PAPINI falsely denied Ex-Boyfriend’s involvement, that Ex-Boyfriend picked PAPINI up at her request, and that there was in fact no abduction, PLEA AGREEMENT Alee ee) 10 u 2 1B 14 15 16 7 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Case 2:22-cr-00070-WBS Document 26 Filed 04/12/22 Page 14 of 14 "The FBI is an agency of the United States and is statutorily authorized to investigate federal crimes including kidnapping in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1201. The August 13, 2020 interview during which PAPINI made the above-identified false statements was part of an ongoing federal investigation into a possible violation of 18 U.S.C. §1201. PAPINI’s false statements were capable of influencing the FBI’s investigative decisions and did, in fact, influence the investigation by causing the FBT to conduct further investigation after the August 2020 interview to reconcile the differences between PAPINI’s ‘claim that she was kidnapped and the Ex-Boyfriend’s statement that PAPINI had executed her own plan {to run away from her home and stay with him voluntarily. After her return in November 2016, PAPINI applied to the California Victim Compensation Board (“CalVCB”) to obtain money based on her claimed status as a kidnapping victim, and subsequently received funds to pay for new blinds in her home, ambulance costs incurred upon her felurm and therapist costs fr alleged anxiety and PTSD from her supposed kidnapping. PAPINI signed the application to receive CalVCB funds under penalty of perjury. The application signed by PAPINI contained false statements regarding her supposed kidnapping, including that she had been ordered into a vehicle by two suspects with handguns, that the suspects held her captive for 22 days before releasing her, that she had attempted to escape several times, and that PAPINI had “fully cooperated with the investigation.” The CalVCB would not have approved PAPINI’s application or paid for any benefits if ithad known that PAPINI was not the victim of a kidnapping. ‘Once payment requests for financial assistance were approved by the CalVCB, the California State Controllers Office ("CSCO") mailed checks to the designated reimbursement recipient via the U.S. mail. Specifically, on or about August 7, 2017, CSCO sent a check to PAPINI’s therapist via the ‘U'S. mail in the amount of $2,997 as payment for PAPINI’s therapy sessions for anxiety and PTSD from her purported “kidnapping.” PAPINI was notified of every reimbursement CalVCB made as part of the ‘Victim Assistance program via detailed statements mailed to PAPINI’s home address. PAPINI’s CalVCB fraud continued until at least March 2021. In total, PAPINI defrauded the CalVCB of at least $30,694.15. Additionally, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office (“SCSO”) and ‘the FBI ‘expended resources to conduct a nation-wide search for PAPINI during the 22 days she was missing, and then expended additional resources to hunt for PAPINI’s purported “abductors” based on her continued fraudulent and false statements, The SCSO expended approximately $148,866.23 and the FBI expended approximately $2,558.35. I, Sherri Papini, have read and carefully reviewed the above Exhibit A: Factual Basis for Plea with my attorney. As far as my own conduct and the conduct of which I am aware is concemed, the facts described above are true and I adopt this Factual Basis as my own true statement, mt e/a Due cf Hapa Defendant PLEA AGREEMENT