'They Were Lying'

" Owning them behind that on any of our sheriff's office employees that are out here we -- pleased to -- whether. Let me use Sargent."

" Well. Good morning. For -- You know I am by now well repeated that he always ask me too much Jim Alderman hailed the yard the yen a share from wherever county. Obvious you hear talk about the what's become known as the blue boy hoax. Part of me making any comments so I do I recognized. All the people here assembled behind me. That's literally out of this investigation. There was a lot of skepticism a lot of speculation a lot of conjecture but we operate on facts. And to get to the truth. We were not have been able to arrived at the truth that hadn't been for the tireless. Work many many of the individuals here -- her -- county sheriff's family. -- with -- today so. I want to thank them publicly all of our workers support the effort that they put in this case. As I said this is it has been determined. That this is the hoax. That it was a publicity stunt. We believe that we have evidence at this point. To indicate that it was their publicity stunt. Gone with the hopes of marketing themselves are better market themselves through a reality television show at some point in the future. I know if you're going to be very disjointed united someone apologize for that would have a lot of points so wanted to do cover and some of them may be somewhat out of order but. Personally talked about local prior the history. We've only had two prior calls to their residents both of those both of them being 911 hang up calls. All one of them was clear the after it was determined that a juvenile. Ahead Debra Messing with the phone and accidentally dialed 911. The second call was cleared of the suspicious circumstance. There's a possibility. Her potential that there was some domestic violence. Involved in that call. However after greeting it with the district attorney's office there was insufficient. Evidence to proceed with a criminal prosecution. Couple other things -- wanted to confirm brother's been -- Timeline and who called whom when we have been able confirmed that that Henne did in fact coal -- news. We haven't been able to confirm that they did call FAA. However the timeline is of one these calls were placed in what order and whether there were called before or after. 911 was called. There's still questionable who haven't been able to determined that timeline. We have put AF preserve order in place for the city's telephone records and of course will be getting -- subpoenas or. Search warrants and order to access those records food and establishing time -- Another issue that came up. Whether or not this device the spaceship was capable of launching. -- a 37 pounds six year old. That day the event occurred we took the dimensions. And the information in the -- provided to us by Richard handy. And gave that information in two -- professor at Colorado State University music professor of physics. He was asked to join us here today I'm not sure he is. Professor professor Brian Jones. Based on the information and and they wait and the volume. Provided to us by Richard Petty. Professor Jones determined that it was in fact possible for this -- who have launched. However. Now that we have custody and river covered the balloon and the utility box. And waved -- them. And have -- precise measurement. Professor. Jones has reexamined that has recalculated. And base the accurate information and the accurate weight of this device. We now know that it was not capable of lifting off. In fact the difference is there to eighteen pound discrepancy. As to whether this thing would go airborne on. The original calculation that were provided. Showed. The entire contraption weighing eighteen pounds less than it actually dead. And that eighteen pound weight difference is the difference aware that this thing would take later. Now we also wanted to go look closely at the construction of this device. Basically if they want mil plastic. TARP so we're taped together are covered with aluminum foil. The utility box the base of it is a very thin piece of up plywood. And these sides of that box -- cardboard. All held."

" Together with string and -- Certainly we wanted to question whether that was strong enough to support the weight -- We have that I'm display in our video tire evidence bay we'll show that to you at the conclusion of this press conference analog to get some photographs. We did place 37 pounds weighed in there and have suspended it. That it is in fact capable of bizarre that sound been held together with duct tape. That well in fact support. The weight of a 37. Year old boy you're 37 humble excuse me. A lot of recap the events just briefly up to this point the other morning that's occurred it was obviously chaotic. That we responded as the number of other rescue personnel responded. Do what we believed was a life threatening event with a six year old boy's life in jeopardy. We responded in a rescue mode. After the -- dead and it was determined the boy was not in there and determined that he was not in the house. We went into a body recovery mode so clearly emotions were running high. At that time. And I've made a big point out of saying talking about the emotional condition of the family their body language or non verbal communications. Everything that we experienced. With the family to that point was very consistent and believable. Although. Certainly. A number of people including the media including the viewers were skeptical about this thing. We need remained somewhat skeptical but it constantly says we have the operative facts are what we can prove his being facts. So the -- fact that the information we -- it was plausible. To believe that this event occurred. This that we were in the recovery mode. Some the other thing that initially led credibility. To this fantastic story with the fact that the Cheney family granted us free access to search for -- They granted us. Complete access to their children interview independently. After felt it was found they didn't even hesitate to allow us to talk to him outside of their presence. All of these things were very suggested. That it was -- in fact a real bill that somebody was trying to -- that are come. Some who -- trying to make something like this we certainly would not expect -- to give us the access that they -- the level of cooperation. Again after the fact we have since learned as many of you have that these people are actors. Not only have they appeared in several reality television shows and on -- troops. But we have since determined that in fact they met together the way that they met establish a relationship. Was an acting school and Hollywood. -- needless to say they put on a very good show for us and we bought it. Again I don't fault any of our staff -- that everything appeared very credible. I can also there for many if you suggest that what if questions and want you have done things differently if you were apparent certainly I would certainly we would have. But for all of those questions that you raised we have also raise them with a family. And up -- what we thought were plausible explanations. Certainly not what any of us would have done at that time. But there were they plausible explanation and a rationale that they could give us that would say okay. That wasn't until. These Larry King show where the family was interviewed by Wolf Blitzer. That we had the first -- moment if you. You all know what I'm talking about when he was asked her why did you come down and he's that I believe. Media said we did it for the show. If you look at the non verbal responses well some of the verbal cues not only from him but from the family from the children. Their reaction. That became very clear to us at that point that they -- You know you picked up on that we've picked up. From that point -- develop a strategy the -- we go from here how to get to the bottom of this. Clearly the only way that we are going to be able to bring this to a successful conclusion. That we got a confession. Now we can speculate all we want but we had to get somebody talking and somebody telling us what really happened. We developed a strategy to do that. It's very important that during this time that -- maintained their trust with us that we maintain a very good relationship that we established with the family. We had to say and do things that make sure that they believe that we are on their sides bill. And it. Tried it can. Just maintain that trust so that we could get them in here voluntarily. In order to conduct our interview obviously. We wanted to conduct an interview in -- on our turf and our environment that was more control. The obvious goal was to separate them. To. Interview them separately. Hopefully be able to convince them to take a polygraph. Part of that the aim of getting them to take a polygraph is this is the only way that they're going to get the media feeding frenzy -- of their back. And if they passed a polygraph that'd be great if they failed a polygraph. That would give us ammunition to use and -- that interrogation. Ultimately with the goal of getting them back. We arranged we we had hoped to do that on Friday. That was our game plan is to try to get them voluntarily in her Friday to a polygraph examination. However after watching the media. That morning. And the obvious distress that the family was under that the thing that they were under. Had we run a polygraph under those circumstances the result would be invalid base that we needed to get them arrested. Before we couldn't do it polygraph that was to have any validity that's what we decided not to pursue the investigation that day to pursue the following morning. Mr. -- voluntarily came in here. Under the pretext. We were going to return his aircraft to him. But before you can do that we had a few questions that we needed to ask him and a few occasions that we needed the clerk behind. -- to comment. So we came in voluntarily. Unbeknownst to him at this same time the minute they hit the door here. We had investigators. Prepared to go to the house and it talked to mrs. Kennedy. Try to gain her cooperation as well as conduct interviews with her children."

" Again that was successful she volunteered. To. Do that and then she volunteered to come to the sheriff's office for further interviews and -- that Hitler so. Those interviewed -- conducted there there were interviews conducted here. The his latest. But we talk about the one thing that you're you folks are satellite. -- you know were arrested this point. There's a rule in Colorado offices or. People are not from Colorado media called rule three point six and three point eight. And the district attorney constantly reminds his season that he did -- and last. We are not allowed under these rules to talk about the result some of these scientific. Evidence that that is presented. Were not allowed to talk about whether in fact the polygraph examination of the minister. FA polygraph was of that minister rattle out -- say whether it proved truthful or deceptive. And if anybody made any confession and we're not allowed to comment on whether anybody confessed. So that's the status of where wrap. What I will say is that based on interviews that was done yesterday. We obtained enough probable cause to. -- execute search -- the house last evening. What we were looking for particular. Work computers. That work and what that might contain emails. Phone records financial records. Any sort of media recordings videotapes or PD. And he contracts. Or any other documents that might relate to reflect reality television show. Four plans to. Have such -- reality television show. Those that those search warrants were executed last night. At this point we have not filed charges you also saw that mr. -- and they were allowed to leave yesterday. We we need time to regroup. Two. Mrs. we have a lot of work that's only because we've got a lot of work but this is still an ongoing investigation and -- have to look at all these documents that would these. And we certainly need further consultation with the district attorney's office. But we believe that at some point we will be. Presenting a case filing to the district attorney recommending. The following charges. Conspiracy. Contributing to the -- delinquency of a minor. Which is a class four felony. False reporting to authorities which is the class three a misdemeanor. And attempting to inform the public servant which is the class four felony. Sergeant. -- Start the good sergeant here has Stewart as cigarette spoke to many in the media want specifics on. What the possible penalties are or what the actual elements of the crime are as partners who will be able provide that to you following a press conference. That's the one obvious one that jumps out that's missing is endangering public transportation. Given that this thing to life in danger the air to air space. Will know what happened at the IA and plays and will be diverted. Unfortunately. That even though the nomenclature endangering. Public transportation. Sound right on if you look at the actual elements of the offense. We do not have enough to prove the elements of that particular facts. So we will be meeting next week for having dialogue certainly what the federal bureau of an investigation. And the FAA to determine if there are federal charges that may be appropriate. In this circumstance. The issue of restitution has come up. Clearly now that we do believe we have a vital by noble. Criminal case if this is presented to the DA if he accepts the charges that could proceed to court. We certainly will be seeking restitution. And four don't have those figures. Getting dollar mountain of man hours is really been the least of our concern at this point. We will be working on that throughout -- week. I personally spoke with -- John Cook last night from a Weld County sheriff Doug are. From Adams county and half that they would also start compiling. Figures as part how many man hours were involved in their jurisdictions are what cost may have been incurred in those jurisdictions. Without I'm going to. The under sheriff says that for the privilege of making a few comments. I will then return and answer. Questions. If you questions. From media. And then whether we're going to adjourn to the back and wolf -- her. Evidence -- you. From a distance to take some photographs of this apparatus for anybody accused. -- Hudson."

" Good morning my name's Ernie Hudson I'm Cameron county under sheriff and also the investigations division commander. I just wanted to -- to point out a couple of things I know that. We have received a lot of emails and a lot of calls. From the public. Sometimes who appeared to be very angry that's. For not. Making an arrest earlier. Bear in mind this. We felt that we follow acceptable. Standards are accepted standards in the way that that we conducted this investigation. We cannot. As we're conducting an investigation. Merely -- look at speculation or make assumptions. We have to base our investigation on provable facts. -- we always maintain an open mind in -- throughout this investigation. We had to be conscious of the fact. That we needed to you continue to have a good rapport. With his family in an effort so that we could. Give them voluntarily can come back again which occurred yesterday. -- sheriff was involved in the planning of this strategy at every step away. Are planned all the more they worked we were able to. Bullying cooperation from the family they came in yesterday as the sheriff has already stated. They cooperated we were able to separate them we were able to talk to the children and separate the children. The bottom line over the years is we kept an open mind throughout all this it was our department's idea that followed this strategy. In order to gain cooperation from the family and it and that worked. And now what the evidence that we've been able to obtain yesterday. There is absolutely no doubt in our mind that this was in fact any hopes it was in fact. -- public relations. Sat out. -- where. These people wanted it yet. Some national attention. And -- what they all the -- that that they would end up where some sorrowful. Form of a peavy deal our reality show deal so there's no doubt in our mind that this took place. The investigation. Is still ongoing as the sheriff mention. And again I want to personally thank. Those people that worked for the -- parish sheriff's department and has spent many many hours the last few days putting this together. I would also like to thank all of the other agencies. Awareness and each 1911 call coming in. We were very worried. That they they had a life small child a six year old child. May in fact be in jeopardy people mobilized. This city police the fire department. This state patrol sheriff's departments from Weld County in Adams county our emergency response people. Patrol. The sheriff and I went to the scene. We were very very conscious of the fact. But we may be dealing with the potential. Injuries are our worst potential -- six year old boy so emotions were running high. And again are initial reports from our investigators on this street was that they. That family his demeanor as consistent. -- where. With what the family told us and we had no evidence at that time contrary -- that. But we did keep an open mind as we do that all investigations. And we don't have that luxury. Josh rushing to judgment or jabbing him illusions we need to base our investigation on hard fast. Facts as we we see them as we develop on. And the strategy worked and had brought for us the all the -- successful conclusion. This case. My name is on ERC and Hudson HC BS land. It and whatever one calls me -- Yes ER and I."