Balloon boy parents plead guilty

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November 13, 2009

P. SOLOMON BAND The Daily Independent Fri Nov 13, 2009, 12:48 PM EST

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The Colorado parents accused of pulling a spectacular hoax by reporting their son was aboard a runaway balloon have pleaded guilty to charges that could bring some jail time and probation.

Richard Heene pleaded guilty to knowingly and falsely influencing Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden, a felony. Mayumi Heene pleaded guilty to knowingly filing a false report with emergency services, a misdemeanor.

Richard Heene told judge Stephen Schapanski he understood that he could have to pay restitution for the costs incurred by public agencies because of his actions. Local and federal authorities spent at least $62,000 pursuing the balloon and searching for 6-year-old Falcon after it landed.

Schapanski told Mayumi Heene that her plea doesn't automatically prevent any action by federal authorities regarding her immigration status; she is a Japanese citizen. Her attorney, Lee Christian, acknowledged that was the case but said avoiding a trial could reduce the consequences.

Chief deputy district attorney Andrew Lewis told the judge that prosecutors always intended to charge Mayumi Heene with a misdemeanor based on her cooperation with authorities and what he called her lower level of culpability in the incident. He insisted prosecutors never used the threat of deportation in her case — contrary to what Richard Heene's attorney David Lane has said.

Christian said the possibility of going to trial and risking a felony conviction was one of "many reasons" Mayumi Heene wanted to plead guilty.

Prosecutors would like the Heenes to serve some time in jail, but the final decision will be made by Schapanski at a Dec. 23 sentencing hearing.

In the meantime, Lane said Richard Heene intends to seek employment with trips to New York and California and Mayumi Heene plans to accompany him. The judge adjusted their bond to allow them to do so, as long as they report to probation services within seven days.

Lane told the judge that Richard Heene has an "employment opportunity" in New York. Lane declined to elaborate as he left the courtroom, and Heene waved off questions.

Business associates of Richard Heene said before the balloon incident Richard Heene was trying to pitch a TV series based on science. The Heenes are amateur storm chasers and had twice appeared on the ABC reality show "Wife Swap."

Mayumi Heene allegedly told investigators the balloon launch was a hoax aimed at promoting a possible reality television show. Neither she nor her husband discussed their intent during the court hearing and neither apologized.

After the hearing, when asked whether he had anything to say to the people who helped look for his son, Richard Heene didn't respond.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

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