To answer all of you who ask, every now and then, “What happened with that whole Balloon Boy story?” here you have it: Balloon Boy’s dad, Richard Heene, was sentenced to 90 days in jail, including 60 days of work release that will let him pursue work as a construction contractor while doing his time. The judge also imposed conditions on his probation that forbid him from profiting from the balloon spectacle in any way for four years.
The sentencing of his wife, Mayumi, is underway.
I know this guy didn’t commit a violent crime or anything, but when you think of the resources he cost any number of emergency-response agencies — and the people with genuine emergencies who experienced a delay in response resultantly — this seems like a really weak sentence, and it annoys me. I think he should have received more jail time, and I think he should have to serve all of it in an actual jail, with none of this work-release bullshit. And WTF is up with this four-year limitation on his right to profit from these shenanigans? This dude should NEVER be allowed to profit from any of this. Legal eagles, please explain this nonsense to me.
I don’t think he should have more jail time, but he should have paid all the ressources he had asked for.
The state is billing them for over $42k in “rescue” expenses and anticipates going after them in court to recoup expenses. I think the whole state was a bit pissed about how light the punishment seemed for such fame-mongering asses.
They must do the jail time. His wife has received 30 days in the slammer. Both have been ordered to complete 140+ hrs community service plus 4 years probation. 2 supervised and 2 unsupervised, if they walk the straight line. They cannot profit from their Hoax until they are released from probation, paid off all fines, and repay the state. My mom tries to keep me updated.
um I’m actually pretty against wasting jail space on non-violent crimes. I think he should pay, but locking him up is just going to waste even more money.
They probably figured that after 4 years, it’s likely that few people will even remember, leave alone want to know more about the incident (it might make a “stupid publicity stunts of the last decade” list or something, which wouldn’t paying him to accomplish)–and they likely won’t be interested in his point of view on the subject (which is what he’d be able to profit from, if anything). They’re probably reasoning that the story will be pretty dead by then, except maybe as a throwaway gag in a comedy, if that.
I think giving them jail time is absolutely ridiculous. Taking parents away from 3 young children is just wrong. They obviously should be fined for the incident and if they can’t pay it they should have to work it off through community service.
Violent offenders like Chris Brown did not see a day of prison but they’re locking up the Heenes who essentially pulled an elaborate prank. That’s a twisted justice system.
yeah, just an elaborate prank that COST THOUSANDS OF TAXPAYERS’ DOLLARS in emergency response you dumb fuck. That was the whole point of this post.
Even if it did waste the money, it’s not like the whole “Climate Change” hoax isn’t wasting more.
Sorry I could not resist saying that, what I intended to say was – I agree with Stephanie, even if they did waste money.. they didn’t HURT anyone, unlike Chris.
Actually it’s been on the news all day that they will be serving at different times so there will be one parent with the kids at all times.
I guess I can understand not wanting to crowds the jails with non-violent crimes. Perhaps wearing an ankle monitoring bracelet that doesn’t let them leave the house except for work and groceries. Also, what’s going to happen to thier kids? They don’t seem like the best parents in the world, especially after that “rap video” that the dad shot of his kids.
Mayumi isn’t a US citizen (she’s here on a visa or something from Japan); can she get deported for something like this?
I believe they worked something out where she wouldn’t actively be deported for it. The Colorado authorities never threatened deportation, whether the feds decide to go after her for it is an entirely different issue.
I think it would be lovely if she was deported and took the entire family with her. There are too many people in Colorado anyway.
i dont think resultingly is a word.
re?sult?ing?ly??[ri-zuhl-ting-lee]
–adverb
as a result.
Douche.
This bullshit post is full of hot air.