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'Balloon Dad' Released After 28 Days In Jail For Hoax
thedenverchannel ^ | February 9, 2010 | Alan Gathright

Posted on 02/10/2010 12:54:46 PM PST by JoeProBono

Richard Heene Serves Rest Of Sentence In Work-Release Program.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Richard Heene, the man dubbed "Balloon Dad" after being convicted of masterminding a hoax that his young son was adrift in a runaway UFO-shaped balloon, was released from Larimer County jail Sunday after serving 28 days, authorities said.

Heene began serving his 30-day sentence at the jail on Jan. 11 and was released two days early, Larimer County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Eloise Campanella told TheDenverChannel.com Monday.

He will now serve 60 days of his sentence through a work-release program that will allow him to work during the day and spend nights in a minimum-security dormitory called the Alternative Sentencing Unit, Campanella said. Mayumi Heene, the mother branded "Balloon Mom," would begin serving her jail sentence no later than May 1, Campanella said. The judge allowed this staggered sentencing, so one of the parents can be caring for the couple's three sons while the other is in custody.

The couple pleaded guilty in November to falsely reporting that their son Falcon, 6, had floated away in a UFO-shaped helium balloon.

The incident triggered a frantic three-county search for the wayward balloon with live TV coverage that riveted viewers around the world. The National Guard deployed helicopters and air-traffic controllers temporarily diverting flights at Denver International Airport.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Travel; UFO's
KEYWORDS: balloonatic; balloonboy; jpb; weirdo


1 posted on 02/10/2010 12:54:46 PM PST by JoeProBono
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To: JoeProBono
I wonder if he is certified for that rocket he's about to launch. FAA requires such depending on the rocket's configuration/engine and expected altitude. http://www.tripoli.org/documents/faa_rules.shtml
2 posted on 02/10/2010 1:02:13 PM PST by IYAS9YAS (The townhalls were going great until the oPods showed up.)
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To: JoeProBono

I don’t know if he can handle working, that might be harder for him than jail time


3 posted on 02/10/2010 1:16:55 PM PST by RnMomof7 (Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.)
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To: IYAS9YAS
He will now serve 60 days of his sentence through a work-release program...

Picking up "Balloon's" from the side of U.S. Highway 287!

4 posted on 02/10/2010 1:23:27 PM PST by jaz.357 ("If the present tries to sit in judgment on the past, it will lose the future." W.Churchill)
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To: IYAS9YAS

I doubt the FAA would notice unless an unlucky low flier happened to see it.....Their radar certainly wouldn’t pick it up.


5 posted on 02/10/2010 1:28:18 PM PST by Gaffer ("Profling: The only profile I need is a chalk outline around their dead ass!")
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To: JoeProBono
...the mother branded "Balloon Mom,"... (by us, the drive-by media)
6 posted on 02/10/2010 1:42:48 PM PST by TigersEye (It's the Marxism, stupid! ... And they call themselves Progressives.)
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To: JoeProBono

Well, the jailbirds do have some cute kids.


7 posted on 02/10/2010 1:58:14 PM PST by elli1
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To: JoeProBono

This thread is nothing without his theme song: Richard Heene, Science Detective

8 posted on 02/10/2010 2:06:36 PM PST by Ol' Dan Tucker (People should not be afraid of the government. Governement should be afraid of the people)
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To: Ol' Dan Tucker

9 posted on 02/10/2010 2:08:52 PM PST by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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