FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Richard and Mayumi Heene pled guilty Friday to charges related to the Oct. 15 “balloon boy” hoax, in which the Colorado parents claimed their 6-year-old son Falcon had been swept away by a flying saucer-like helium balloon.
Richard Heene, 48, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of attempting to influence a public servant, while his wife pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of false reporting, the Associated Press reports.
David Lane, the attorney representing Richard Heene, said the pleas are part of an agreement to avoid possible deportation of Mayumi Heene to her native Japan should she be convicted in court of greater charges.
Richard Heene will be sentenced on Dec. 23 and could face 90 days in jail and a $500,000 fine. He also may be responsible for restitution, which is estimated at $62,000.
Mayumi Heene faces up to 60 days in jail and a $750 dollar fine. She will also be sentenced on Dec. 23.
The incident made headlines last month, with the couple’s story quickly unraveling in the hours after Falcon was said to be alive. The Heenes appeared on CNN, where Falcon was asked why he was hiding in the attic the whole time.
“You guys said we did this for the show,” the little boy responded.
That led to Colorado authorities arresting the Heenes within days of the hoax.
The family previously appeared on the ABC reality show Wife Swap.
