Iowa Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to Pay Legal Child Support

US Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Jason D. Schomaker, age 36, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, appeared before Chief US District Judge Karen E. Schreier on April 5, 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.

Jason D. Schomaker was ordered to pay $328 per month for his minor children, commencing May 21, 1999. Said support was subsequently modified and is currently $480 per month. At the time of indictment, he had not made a child support payment since November 2008, and the total arrearage amount was $36,449.51. 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 June 20, 2011. The defendant was released on bond pending sentencing.