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10/18/2009 1:16 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF
Authorities Preparing to Charge Heene Family

The Larimer County Sheriff's Department is preparing to file charges against members of the Heene family over the balloon incident earlier this week.

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Sheriff Jim Alderden indicated criminal charges could be filed against one or both parents.

He said the charges now would likely be misdemeanors, but that "hardly seems serious enough given the circumstances. Alderden also said he would consult with the DA and with the FAA about pursuing more "appropriate charges."

Alderden said deputies were working on a search warrant of the Heene's home.

The significance of a misdemeanor conviction is that authorities could go after the Heene family for the cost of emergency responders.

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Reader Comments

(Page 1 of 12) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments
1.

Chris:  849 days ago

FIRST

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2.

Patrick M.:  849 days ago

Ok forget it press conference is off now for sure! This was the last straw.. Sorry folks no press conference.

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3.

jef:  849 days ago

I hope they have to pay out the a$$!

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4.

Coolestever63:  849 days ago

why are we wasting time on them?!?!

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5.

Sassy:  849 days ago

GOOD!

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6.

Canexicana:  849 days ago

Has someone been watching too much "Jon Gosselin" lately????

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7.

moonbear:  849 days ago

Thank you, there is a God.

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8.

Patrick M.:  849 days ago

I just got an email from TMZ

Hello Richard,



Thank you for commenting on our site. We appreciate your comment and would like to get more details from you on this story. But first I would like to verify that this is Richard Heene, since the email is a different name. If so can I have your contact information and I will personally call you to clarify this situation : )



Regards,

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9.

Balloon Dude:  849 days ago

Make them Pay the Money back and then Force them to eat that giant Jiffy Pop Bag.

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10.

Cali MJ Fan:  849 days ago

Does this mean we will never know what questions were in the magic box? Damn!

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11.

Paparazzo@frog.cc:  849 days ago

Bye, bye, TV show.

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12.

jealousy is envy:  849 days ago

HA HA HAH HAHAHAAHAHAHHAAHHAAHAHAHAAHAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH HAH HAHAHH HAHH HAH HA HA HA H AH AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA AAAAAAAAAAH HHAHAHAHAHAHHHHHAAAAAA

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13.

Rob:  849 days ago

atleast they can wait until after the press conference to press charges. i wanna hear what he has to say and what the questions are.

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14.

indie's_papa:  849 days ago

wonder if he shows up to answer the questions now

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15.

Jena:  849 days ago

FINALLY! HA!

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| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments