Crime | Falcon Heene Colo. Sheriff: Balloon Boy Case a 'Hoax' No charges yet, but evidence points to stunt to boost reality show By Polly Davis Doig Posted Oct 18, 2009 12:41 PM CDT Copied Richard Heene, left, leads his sons Ryo, center, and Falcon out of their home in Fort Collins,, Colo., early on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) A Colorado sheriff announced this afternoon that the balloon boy case was a hoax and that he would be pursuing criminal charges. In a rambling news conference, Sheriff Jim Alderden said that the drama surrounding Falcon Heene was likely a publicity stunt designed to hype a reality show. "Needless to say they put on a very good show for us," said Alderden of Falcon's parents, while reminding media that "These people are actors." No charges have yet been filed, but police executed a search warrant at the Heene home last night. Read These Next Trump, Johnson aren't happy with pick for Super Bowl headliner. SCOTUS sounds skeptical about law banning gay conversion therapy. It's being called a disturbing trend: paragliders with bombs. Felix Baumgartner's death attributed to his own error. Report an error