TMZ: Heene Sentenced to Jail in 1997

Richard Heene , the man who is expected to be charged in the balloon boy hoax, has had a brush with the law in the past.

TMZ.com reports that Heene was arrested in 1997 and charged with misdemeanor vandalism, vehicle tampering and disturbing the peace during an incident in Los Angeles. The victim of the crime was not named.

Heene pleaded no contest to vandalism and the charges were dismissed. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail, two years probation and ordered to pay restitution of $100. TMZ writes that it appears Heene only served four days and was then placed under house arrest.

Heene's attorney David Lane said he expects Heene to be charged by Wednesday in the balloon incident and that Heene and his wife, Mayumi, are willing to turn themselves in. Investigators are analyzing e-mails that show Heene and an associate Robert Thomas discussing the balloon boy hoax several months ago.

Thomas sold his story to Gawker.com and claimed that Heene was planning the stunt to promote a possible reality show.