The man behind the Balloon Boy hoax, Richard Heene, was today sentenced to 90 days jail for his role in the incident.
The judge has allowed him to serve 60 of the 90 days on a work-release program, in which he'll be allowed to seek work as a construction contractor while doing his time.
Richard was also ordered to four years probation. The judge imposed a condition forbidding him from profiting from the hoax during the four year period of his probation.
During the hearing, Heene appeared to be chocking back tears and he apologised for the incident, celebrity website TMZ reported.
He will begin his sentence on January 11, 2010.
Mayumi Heene was sentenced to 20 days jail for her roll, which she will serve after her husband completes his time.
The Heene family's story captured the world's attention when their homemade helium balloon took flight across Colorado, with their son thought to be inside.
Six-year-old Falcon was later found hiding in the attic of the family home.
Court documents released to American media showed his mother Mayumi admitted the incident was a set-up, and she and her husband instructed their son to lie to authorities and the media.
The affidavit said the motive for the story was to make the Heene family more marketable for future media interest.
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