Kansas Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to Pay Legal Child Support

US Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Brandon J. Gooch, age 34, of Wichita, Kansas, appeared before Chief US District Judge Karen E. Schreier on October 20, 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.

Gooch was ordered by the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court, Custer County, South Dakota, to pay $114 per month for his minor children, commencing August 1, 1995. Said support was subsequently amended to $274 per month. At the time of indictment, he had not made a child support payment since June 2009, and the total arrearage amount was $28,520.15. 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 January 13, 2012. The defendant was released on bond pending sentencing.