Richard and Mayumi Heene just after sentencing. Photo courtesy of Reuters.

     The Heenes, a family from Boulder famous for their appearances on ABC’s Wife Swap, were sent to jail for their balloon boy hoax. Richard, father of the balloon boy, was sentenced to 90 days of jail time while Mayumi, the mother, recieved 20.

     “I’m very, very sorry. And I want to apologize to all the rescue workers out there, and the people that got involved in the community,” Richard lamented, near tears.

     Basically, the two hour long scare that Falcon, the Heenes’ six-year-old son, had taken flight in their homemade helium balloon caused Denver International Airport to temporarily shut down while military helicopters searched for him. When people started asking questions (read http://www.rvhsnews.com/rachelbrown/follow-up-falcon-heene) Richard denied accusations of the event being staged, calling them “extremely pathetic.”

     “What this case is about is deception, exploitation—exploitation of the children of the Heenes, exploitation of the media and exploitation of people’s emotions—and money,” commented Judge Stephen Schapanski.

     Richard’s sentence includes 60 days of work release that will allow him to continue working as a construction contractor, granted he is in jail at night. Both of the Heenes have been put on a four year probation, during which time they cannot earn money in any way related to their hoax, be it in the form of books, television appearances, or movies.

     At the request of prosecutors, Richard is serving the maximum punishment available in an attempt to impress that a stern message needs to be sent to people who stage hoaxes for publicity. The Heenes may also have to pay the exact amout of money they wasted—possibly over $50,000—back to authorities for chasing their balloon and investigating the case.

     Prosecutor Andrew Lewis commented that “people around the world were watching this unfold. Mr. Heene wasted a lot of manpower and a lot of money in wanting to get himself some publicity.”

     Starting on January 11th, Richard will be expected to be in jail, and Mayumi will be expected to serve her 20 days after her husband completes his 90. Mrs. Heene pleaded guilty to knowingly filing a false report with emergency services, a misdemeanor, while Mr. Heene pleaded guilty to falsely influencing authorities, a felony.

     The Federal Aviation Administration intends to fine the Heenes $11,000 for stopping air traffic, although their spokesman, Les Dorr, could not confirm that.

     David Lane, Richard Heene’s attorney, joked about the matter, ”I don’t know if they’re done with reality television. Is reality television done with them?”