Missouri Man Sentenced for Failure to Pay Legal Child Support

US Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a St. Joseph, Missouri, man charged with Failure to Pay Legal Child Support was sentenced on April 2, 2012, by Chief US District Judge Karen E. Schreier. Thomas R. Thomas, age 58, was sentenced to five years of probation, a $100 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund, and child support restitution in the amount of $42,283.25.

Thomas was indicted for failing to pay over $42,000 in past due child support by a federal grand jury on April 6, 2011. Thomas was ordered by the Third Judicial Circuit Court, Brookings County, South Dakota, to pay $541 per month for his minor child, commencing April 1, 1996. The same order entered a judgment for past due child support in the amount of $36,582. At the time of indictment, he had not made a child support payment since November 2007, and the total arrearage amount was $42,283.25. Thomas pleaded guilty to the charge on January 17, 2012.

This case was investigated the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. Assistant US Attorney Thomas J. Wright prosecuted the case.