UFO hoaxers charged in N.J.

Two men who staged a UFO hoax using road flares and helium balloons in the skies over North Jersey will be charged with disorderly conduct.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi says the objects could have interfered with air traffic and posed a potential fire hazard.

Chris Russo, 29, of Morris Plains, and Joe Rudy, 28, of Chester Township, have admitted they perpetrated the hoax, launching several balloons on five nights in January and February.

They say they did it to debunk so-called UFO experts.

The mysterious red lights prompted dozens of calls to police in several Morris County communities.
A disorderly conduct offense is punishable by a fine.

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