North Dakota Man Sentenced for Failure to Pay Legal Child Support

US Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a North Dakota man charged with Failure to Pay Legal Child Support was sentenced on June 13, 2011, by US District Judge Charles B. Kornmann. James A. Swartz, age 55, was sentenced to five years of probation, a $100 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund, and child support restitution in the amount of $44,239.68.

Swartz was indicted for failing to pay $44,239.68 in past due child support by a federal grand jury on January 5, 2010. He was ordered by the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court, Campbell County, South Dakota, to pay $217.98 per month for his minor children, commencing January 1, 1997. Said support was subsequently modified to $405 commencing May 1, 1997. At the time of indictment, he had not made a child support payment since August 2008, and the total arrearage amount was $44,239.68. He pled guilty to the charge on February 28, 2011.

This case was investigated the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.