Balloon boy father transferred from Colorado jail to start work-release part of sentence

Balloon boy dad transferred to start work-release

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The man who pleaded guilty in the balloon boy hoax has been released from a Colorado jail to serve the rest of his sentence in a work-release program.

Larimer County sheriff’s office spokeswoman Eloise Campanella says Richard Heene was transferred Sunday and is expected to work during the day, then spend nights at a work-release dormitory. She didn’t have information Monday on where he’ll work.

Heene started serving a 90-day sentence Jan. 11 after pleading guilty to falsely influencing the sheriff. His wife, Mayumi, pleaded guilty to filing a false report and must serve 20 days in jail.

Sheriff’s officials say the couple’s report Oct. 15 that their young son had floated away in a UFO-shaped helium balloon was a hoax.