User:Zach demsky/Balloon boy hoax

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The sentencing of the "balloon boy" case today was an article that starts by giving us what was going on in the case today and how it will be sentenced, also stating how they will plea. The next part is a brief overview of the event, then goes into both their charges and some of their potential charges. This article was written on the day of the sentencing for the couple.

In the Parents of 'Balloon Boy,' the hoax that captivated and confused the nation, pardoned by Colorado governor article, it was a in depth explanation of the event that took place and its affects on the nation. It the goes into the couples guilty plea and convictions they were charged with. The majority was about Governor Polis and him pardoning the couple and his reasons why he did.

Article body
investigation

Throughout the Balloon Boy Hoax investigation the couple had a list of potential fines and penalties before the sentencing began. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed a fine of 11,000$ for the “launching of an unauthorized aircraft.” An FAA spokesman, Mike Fergus, later revealed that they had completed their investigation, but no details were released after the investigation. The couple also had proposed fines for Richard Heene for committing a class 4 felony; he could have received two to six years in prison and fines between $2,000 to $500,000. Mayumi Heene was also facing a potential penalty; by committing a class 3 misdemeanor, she could receive up to six months in prison and a fine ranging from $50 to $750.

Post-Conviction

On December 23, 2020, Governor Jared Polis issued pardons to the Heenes, saying they had already "paid the price in the eyes of the public" and that it was time for Colorado to move on from the case as it was a waste of precious time of the law enforcement, military enforcement, and the general public. Polis eventually removed Mayumi's misdemeanor charge and Richards Felony charge from their records, stating they deserved a second chance and still have the burden of guilt on them. Polis said, "It's time to no longer let a permanent criminal record from the balloon boy saga follow and drag down the parents for the rest of their lives."

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