Balloon Boy Dad Richard Heene Thinks World Will End in 2012; Will He Be Out of Jail by Then?

By: Sammy Rose Saltzman
Topics: Daily Blotter

(YouTube)

Left to right: Barb Slusser, Scott Stevens and Richard Heene on their YouTube show, "Psyience Detectives."

NEW YORK (CBS) Will Richard Heene, the father of the now-infamous balloon boy, be out of jail in time to see the world end on Dec. 21, 2012—a fear he discussed on his YouTube web show, "Psyience Detectives?"

Heene and his colleagues Barbara Slusser and Scott Stevens, a meteorologist, had a lengthy panel-style conversation about the ancient Mayan prophesy which states the world will end on Dec. 21, 2012.

(CBS)

Photo: Authorities chase down Richard Heene's balloon.
Photos: The Bizarre "Balloon Boy" Incident

In the video, Heene says he is going to explain the phenomenon to the "laymen out there," and goes on to read a list of over fifteen reasons why the prediction will prove to be true.

He notes that "the largest seed vault has just been completed," with the help of Bill Gates and the Rockefeller family and says that such big names must have been involved because "they're expecting something."

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: Richard Heene and son, Falcon.

Another piece of evidence Heene cites is that there are "over 800 concentration camps" set up in the United States. "I do believe they are set up for a huge disaster, like [Hurricane] Katrina. Everybody that was inside that dome was a prisoner," he said.

Heene and his colleagues also discuss the Amero, a theoretical currency designed for the economic and monetary union of Canada, the United States and Mexico. Heene said that this "way of preparing" for a merging of the three countries somehow indicates that the Mayan prediction of a December 2012 catastrophe is accurate.

Heene created a national frenzy last week after a helium balloon shaped like a UFO was released from his Colorado backyard. Heene told authorities that his 6-year-old son, Falcon, was in the balloon, which sparked a massive rescue effort across the state. Falcon Heene was later found safe in the attic of the family's home.

Authorities are now pursuing criminal charges against Richard Heene and his wife Mayumi Heene, who they believe perpetrated a publicity stunt in order to gain traction for a proposed reality show. The Heenes were previously featured in two episodes of the ABC reality show "Wife Swap."

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said he expected to recommend charges of conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, making a false report to authorities and attempting to influence a public servant. Federal charges were also possible.

The most serious charges are felonies and carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Alderden said they would be seeking restitution for the costs, though he didn't have an estimate.

MEDIA
Photos: The Bizarre "Balloon Boy" Incident
Audio: Richard Heene's Frantic 911 Call

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
October 19, 2009 - "Mad Scientist" Richard Heene Cooked Up Balloon Boy Hoax Months Ago, Says Denver Man
October 16, 2009 - Balloon Boy Drama Was "Real Event," Says Sheriff
October 16, 2009 - Balloon Boy Falcon Heene 911 Call Released
October 16, 2009 - It Sure Wasn't Altitude Sickness, But Balloon Boy Falcon Heene Throws Up Twice on National TV

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by scubbasteve01 October 19, 2009 9:00 PM EDT

Ok so the World will end in 2012? Guys it's official nobody needs to go out to see this new movie because this guy has all the answers to our questions even when he's acting strange and is caught on camera wearing a woman's bra. Yeah. This guy is a real wacked out maniac. So people you better take all of your money out of the bank and get to your own personal bomb shelter with your survival gear and make sure you have your own Balloon Boy or Girl to check the surface of the Earth from the sky to give you updates from your over-paid Sprint phone bill plan. RIGHET HERE! RIGHT NOW!

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by scubbasteve01 October 19, 2009 9:01 PM EDT: Here's Richard Heene he's about to call every person in America to let them know he's going to jail for his Balloon Boy Stunt to pay his debt to society. RIGHT HERE! RIGHT NOW! On the Balloon Network.