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Balloon boy parents get jail term

Published: 24/12/2009 05:00

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A judge in Fort Collins, Colorado State, sentenced both parents who carried out the balloon boy hoax to jail on Wednesday.

Richard (L) and Mayumi Heene leave Larimer County district court after their sentencing hearing in Fort Collins, Colorado December 23, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Richard and Mayumi Heene pleaded guilty to charges that they carried out the balloon stunt in October to promote a reality TV show.

The father, Richard Heene, was ordered to serve 90 days in jail, which includes 60 days work release that will let him pursue work as a construction contractor while doing his time.

He also received four years probation and was prohibited from receiving any kind of financial benefit from the case during the period of his probation.

Heene’s wife, Mayumi, received a lesser sentence due to her limited involvement in the hoax. She was given 20 days in jail, which she was to serve upon her husband’s release. Her time served is flexible — she can report to jail on 10 weekends, for example –so the children are cared for, the judge said.

Mrs. Heene was also sentenced to four years probation and barred from profiting from the balloon spectacle during that time.

The prosecutors said Richard Heene “wasted a lot of manpower and a lot of money in wanting to get himself some publicity.”

The Heenes’ probation will be revoked if they are found to be profiting from any book, TV, movie or other deals related to the stunt.

A message needs to be sent to other self-promoters that they will be punished for orchestrating hoaxes, said the prosecutors.

“I do want to reiterate that I’m very, very sorry,” said Heene as he stood before the judge.

District Judge Stephen Schapanski said, “Mr. Heene, I believe, is contrite. I do believe he regrets this incident.”

David Lane, Richard Heene’s attorney, pleaded for leniency with the judge and said that the couple “have learned a lesson they will never forget for the rest of their lives.” He also said that if someone has to go to jail, let it be Richard Heene and not his wife.

On Oct. 15, the Heenes made false calls to 911, the news media and the Federal Aviation Administration to report that their 6-year-old son was floating away in a helium balloon.

That triggered a desperate 50-mile (80-kilometer) chase as the craft drifted across northern Colorado’s plains, and then another desperate search once the balloon landed and the boy was nowhere to be found.

The balloon flight forced some commercial aircraft to switch to a different runway at Denver International Airport.

The search and investigation could exceed 50,000 dollars. The cost includes two national guard helicopters launched to track the balloon, overtime for sheriff’s employees and damage to the field where the balloon landed.

The FAA has also informed the Heenes that they may be subject to an 11,000-dollar fine for launching an unauthorized aircraft.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet

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