The sheriff investigating the Balloon Boy incident said Sunday it was a "hoax" and a "publicity stunt" the boy's attention-starved parents hoped to parlay into a reality TV show, and promised that charges would be presented to the local district attorney's office.
Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said the charges against Richard and Mayumi Heene would include conspiracy, attempting to influence a public servant, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and false reporting to authorities.
Some of the most serious charges each carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
The sheriff said the "a-ha moment" came when the 6-year-old boy, Falcon Heene, said in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer that he thought "we did this for a show."
"After the fact ... we have since learned that these people are actors," said Alderden, who noted that the couple met in an acting class in Hollywood.
He said his department made its best effort to save the boy when the boy was believed to be in the balloon. He said authorities were told it could carry a 37-pound boy— even though it was held together mainly with duct tape and string.
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