Prosecutors this morning formally charged the parents of Fort Collins balloon boy Falcon Heene, who are set to plead guilty tomorrow in a pre-arranged deal.
Richard and Mayumi Heene will turn themselves in to the county's chief judge on a personal recognizance bond at 8:30 a.m., said Linda Jensen, a spokeswoman for Larimer County District Attorney Larry Abrahamson.
Richard Heene has been charged with one count of attempting to influence a public servant, a class 4 felony. The penalty range for a class 4 felony is 2-6 years in the Department of Corrections and a fine of $2,000 to $500,000.
Mayumi Heene has been charged with one count of false reporting to authorities, a class 3 misdemeanor. The penalty range for a class 3 misdemeanor is up to six months in county jail and a fine of $50 to $750.
Richard Heene's lawyer said the charges are the result of a plea bargain, and the two will plead guilty with stipulated sentences of probation. In a statement, attorney David Lane said authorities insisted that Richard Heene "fall on his sword" and take a felony plea. He said Richard Heene could be sentenced to up to 90 days in the county jail, and Mayumi, 60 days, along with their probation sentences.