Balloon Boy's Dad Sentenced

[Mickey's Minion]

Heene was just sentenced to 90 days in jail, 30 of which will be hard time.

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=129452&catid=339

FORT COLLINS - A judge sentenced a father who carried out the "balloon boy" hoax to 90 days in jail, 30 of which will be hard time, on Wednesday morning.

The judge said that 60 days of the 90-day sentence can be served as work release.

The judge also sentenced Richard Heene to four years of probation and ordered him to pay restitution for the rescue efforts.

Before the sentencing, Heene spoke before the court, saying he was sorry, especially to the rescue workers who chased down false reports that his 6-year-old son Falcon had floated away in a homemade balloon full of helium.

Heene choked back tears as he stood before a judge and apologized: "I do want to reiterate that I'm very, very sorry."

Earlier, a prosecutor urged a judge to give Heene the maximum punishment of 90 days behind bars. His lawyer asked for probation.

Prosecutors say a message needs to be sent to other self-promoters that they will be punished for orchestrating hoaxes.

Richard and Mayumi Heene pleaded guilty to charges that they carried out the balloon stunt in October to promote a reality TV show.
(Copyright KUSA*TV/Associated Press, All Rights Reserved)

 

[NYPDwife]

They were idiots. Good for them. I hope they actually make them pay everything back.

 

[momrek06]

My favorite YOUTUBE of all time!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8FFlno-04Y

 

[Jennasis]

Awesome. Wonder if mom will be deported as some have speculated?>

 

[Jenvenza]

I think that is great. They both deserve it.

 

[Holly]

I think it's an appropriate punishment.


I hope that the mother doesn't get deported. I don't agree with what she did but I would hate to see the children suffer further.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

What a fool he is.

 

[jazzielady]

Awesome. Wonder if mom will be deported as some have speculated?>

I haven't followed this very closely. Why would mom be deported?

 

[minkydog]

What exactly is "hard time?" I know they're not out there breaking up rocks.

 

[Wall-E1]

Now is the time for their reality show, and all proceeds should go towards paying back law enforcement. This may not be the show that they envisioned, but just think how much fun it would be for us viewers at home to watch dad navigating himself through the prison system, and mom trying to evade the immigration authorities. We can also watch as those three rambunctious kids continue to sing and vomit their way into our hearts. TLC...if you're listening...we want 30 Days and Counting.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

What exactly is "hard time?" I know they're not out there breaking up rocks.

I agree. Hard time in a county lock up is an oxymoron. Prison is usually reserved for criminals with time greater than 365 days. Anything under that is county jail. At least that's the way it is in Jersey. It's hard only because he will be in jail but he's not being mixed in with murderers and rapists.

 

[babytrees]

I think when they mean "hard" time it means he won't be able to get out on a daily basis for work release. What I would like to know is he wasn't gainfully employed before where would they be work releasing him to?

 

[SueM in MN]

I was surprised that the pled guilty. I expected a not guilt plea and a long trial. I'm glad at least that they oabed up to their boneheaded scheme.

 

[HonnyDipp]

I was worried they would get off free and clear. Did the mom get any time?

 

[minkydog]

I think when they mean "hard" time it means he won't be able to get out on a daily basis for work release. What I would like to know is he wasn't gainfully employed before where would they be work releasing him to?

I don't know what he's going to do, but part of the judgement was that he would have to be gainfully employeed at least 30hrs per week and he has to pay back the debt incurred for the "rescue". Upwards of $43,000. That'll never happen

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I think they pled guilty due to the risk of deportment. Had the mom been found guilty of amore serious crime, that would have been the outcome. And I agree--the parents may be idiots, but deporting the mom would have punished the children.

To me, the $43,000 figure sounds low. I'm just thinking man-hours and equipment and fixing up that field, would probably run a lot higher than that. I have no real idea, it just surprises me that the number wouldn't be higher.

 

[IndianaMouse]

I'm glad something was done. If nothing else it may make the next freak think twice before pulling a stunt like this.

I have a feeling this guy is going to have a rough 90 days whether he gets out for work release or not. I've heard the way he runs his mouth on TV and if he does the same thing in jail I imagine there will be a few inmates who will end up shutting it for him.

I don't know what he's going to do, but part of the judgement was that he would have to be gainfully employeed at least 30hrs per week and he has to pay back the debt incurred for the "rescue". Upwards of $43,000. That'll never happen

I've known of a few cases in Indiana when there is debt included in the sentencing the debt becomes part of the persons probation terms. Until all of the terms are met they were not released from probation. If the person on probation didn't make payments as scheduled they were subject to re-arrest and could be kept incarcerated until the bill was paid in full.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I think they pled guilty due to the risk of deportment. Had the mom been found guilty of amore serious crime, that would have been the outcome. And I agree--the parents may be idiots, but deporting the mom would have punished the children.

To me, the $43,000 figure sounds low. I'm just thinking man-hours and equipment and fixing up that field, would probably run a lot higher than that. I have no real idea, it just surprises me that the number wouldn't be higher.

I thought that often, when the accused plead guilty--it's b/c there is plenty of evidence that they will not avoid conviction. So in many cases it helps them get off easier.

So much was documented--including a video showing the "accidental" take off that contradicted their reports to police, that they were pretty much up the creek without a paddle.

 

[Inigo]

I've known of a few cases in Indiana when there is debt included in the sentencing the debt becomes part of the persons probation terms. Until all of the terms are met they were not released from probation. If the person on probation didn't make payments as scheduled they were subject to re-arrest and could be kept incarcerated until the bill was paid in full.

Exactly. I've had a few probation clients who were on probation forever (or at least it seems that way) since they owed restitution. One client finally paid off his restitution, ordered in 2004, last month. When I called the victim to get the current mailing address, she was beyond thrilled.

Inigo--Indiana Probation Officer