Tennessee Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to Pay Legal Child Support

US Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Danny D. Hastings, age 43, of Gibson, Tennessee, appeared before US Magistrate John E. Simko on February 10, 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 of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and child support restitution amount owing at the time of sentencing.

Hastings was ordered by the Third Judicial Circuit Court, Codington County, South Dakota to pay $169 per month for his minor children commencing May 1, 1995. At the time of indictment he had not made a child support payment since November 2009, and the total arrearage amount was $27,311. 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 will be set. The defendant was released on bond pending sentencing.