Authorities say Yudeka Valdez complained her estranged husband wasn't making payments on her Mercedes.
They say she told the supposed kidnappers that her husband was a heroin dealer who kept $20,000 in cash at home.
But the men were an undercover agent and informant.
After her 2008 arrest, Valdez said she never planned to go through with the plot.
U.S. District Judge Curtis Joyner told Valdez at Thursday's sentencing that she is catching a break, given the three-year guideline range.
A defense lawyer called her a foolish woman, but one who was emotionally spent.
Authorities have been unable to find the husband.
