‘Balloon Boy Charges’ are the next step to proving the Balloon Boy saga was a hoax. Now Balloon Boy charges are close to being filed against the Heene family, in the latest setback for Richard Heene since ‘Balloon Boy’ took off – or not. Nothing Richard Heene said, or failed to say, in yesterday’s press conferences may have done much good, as Balloon Boy charges appear to be imminent. While everyone was let down by Heene’s press conferences yesterday, today’s press conference by local sheriff Jim Alderden should be more revealing.
Last night, Larimer Country Sherrif Alderden – who previously didn’t believe there was a Balloon Boy hoax – hinted that ‘Balloon Boy charges’ would be forthcoming against the family. Alderden didn’t announce which family members would face charges, but Richard Heene would likely be among them.
Speculation is that the only charges to make for the Balloon Boy mess are a Class 3 Misdemeanor, for lying to authorities. The majority of the country has turned on the Heene family and accused them of making up Thursday’s drama for publicity. It may not have taken local authorities too long to come to the same conclusion.
The Heene family certainly helped things out, with Thursday and Friday’s suspicious media appearances, and Richard Heene’s day-long press conference stalling yesterday. The more this story drags out, the more former associates of Richard Heene come out and give more sleazy details about Heene’s publicity stunts.
Gawker got an exclusive interview with Robert Thomas, a former Heene assistant, whose claims may be the final straw to ensure Balloon Boy charges. Thomas claims that Heene was obsessed with trying to get a reality show for his family, which everyone now knows about.
But Thomas states that one of Heene’s ideas was to make a weather balloon look like a UFO – much like the one in the Balloon Boy mess – and use the hoax to raise “local and national awareness” about the family. If Heene was indeed planning that kind of hoax about UFO’s, then using his own son as part of a backup hoax is less of a stretch.
Balloon Boy charges haven’t been filed yet, but they seem to be coming soon – with speculation as to whether the feds could get involved later. Sheriff Alderden’s press conference later today – which will likely be on time, unlike Heene’s – will give out more hints.
Sources
Gothamist – “Balloon Boy’s House Searched, Parents To Be Charged”
Gawker – “Exclusive: I Helped Richard Heene Plan a Balloon Hoax”
Digtriad – “Sheriff: Charges Will Be Filed In Balloon Saga”
