Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to Pay Legal Child Support

US Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Austin R. Harper, age 47, of San Diego, California, appeared before US District Judge Karen E. Schreier on January 26, 2011, and pled guilty to an Indictment that charged him with Failure to Pay Legal Child Support. The maximum penalty upon conviction is two years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, one year supervised release, one additional year of custody upon revocation, a $100 special assessment to the Victims’ Assistance Fund, and child support restitution amount owing at the time of sentencing.
At the time of Indictment, Austin R. Harper had never made a child support payment since his obligation had been established. As of September 28, 2010, the total arrearage amount was $24,731. The investigation was conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Thomas J. Wright.
A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for April 11, 2011. The defendant was released on bond pending sentencing.
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