South Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to Pay Legal Child Support

US Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Ronald G. Jones, Sr., age 45, of Honea Path, South Carolina, appeared before Chief US District Judge Karen E. Schreier on February 27, 2012, 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.

Jones was ordered by the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division-Family Part, Sussex County to pay $500 per month for his minor children, commencing April 1, 1995. The same Order entered a judgment for child support arrears in the amount of $2,400. At the time of Indictment, he had not made a child support payment since October of 2008, and the total arrearage amount was $43,538. 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 4, 2012. The defendant was released on bond pending sentencing.