Posted 2:42 am Saturday, November 03, 2012
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Sweep: 17 East Texans arrested for not paying child support
Staff Reports
In conjunction with the Texas Attorney General’s Child Support Division, seven Smith County agencies assisted in arresting 17 East Texans for not paying child support.
In conjunction with the Texas Attorney General’s Child Support Division, seven Smith County agencies assisted in arresting 17 East Texans for not paying child support.
The sweep targeted parents wanted for contempt of court because of their failure to pay child support, according to a news release from the attorney general’s office.
A briefing was held at 4:30 a.m. Friday in the Smith County Emergency Operations Center, where law enforcement organized into teams of officers to locate and arrest the noncompliant parents before they had a chance to leave their homes for the day.
Child support division investigators aided by providing logistical assistance to locate missing parents.
Each alleged offender was arrested on civil warrants and could face up to six months in jail. Bonds paid for release from jail were released to the parents of children who were owed back child support.
“Parents have a moral and legal obligation to make regular child support payments,” Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said in the release. “By collecting child support, we are ensuring young Texans have the resources they need to grow healthy and strong. We are grateful to Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith, the Tyler Police Department, Smith County Adult Probation, Precinct 2 Constable Andy Dunklin, Precinct 3 Constable Jimmy Blackmon and Precinct 4 Constable John G. Smith for their unfailing commitment to Texas children.”
Child support division investigators aided by providing logistical assistance to locate missing parents.
Each alleged offender was arrested on civil warrants and could face up to six months in jail. Bonds paid for release from jail were released to the parents of children who were owed back child support.
“Parents have a moral and legal obligation to make regular child support payments,” Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said in the release. “By collecting child support, we are ensuring young Texans have the resources they need to grow healthy and strong. We are grateful to Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith, the Tyler Police Department, Smith County Adult Probation, Precinct 2 Constable Andy Dunklin, Precinct 3 Constable Jimmy Blackmon and Precinct 4 Constable John G. Smith for their unfailing commitment to Texas children.”
The AG’s office is asking parents who know they have warrants for back child support to call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office to avoid arrest.
Those who have fallen behind, but are not subject to warrants are asked to contact the Attorney General’s Child Support Division at 800-252-8014 to make payment arrangements.
The Office of the Attorney General exceeded $3.4 billion in child support collections for the state fiscal year that ended Aug. 31, with Smith County collecting $50 million of that amount.
Those who have fallen behind, but are not subject to warrants are asked to contact the Attorney General’s Child Support Division at 800-252-8014 to make payment arrangements.
The Office of the Attorney General exceeded $3.4 billion in child support collections for the state fiscal year that ended Aug. 31, with Smith County collecting $50 million of that amount.
