FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — The Colorado man who orchestrated the balloon boy hoax has turned himself in to begin a 90-day jail sentence.
Richard Heene reported to the Larimer County jail in Fort Collins on Monday morning.
He pleaded guilty to attempting to influence a public servant after the Oct. 15 saga that captivated a national television audience. He must serve 30 days in jail before he can participate in a work-release program.
Despite pleading guilty, he has professed his innocence, saying last week that he truly believed his son was inside the balloon and entered the plea only to appease authorities and save his wife from being deported to Japan.
Mayumi Heene allegedly confessed to deputies and pleaded guilty to filing a false report. She faces a 20-day jail term.
