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Press Release

California Man Indicted For Failure To Pay Child Support

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Dakota

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Ceres, California man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Pay Legal Child Support.

Robert R. Ortega, age 44, was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 4, 2012 for failing to pay over $70,548.00. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on February 8, 2013 and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is two years imprisonment; a $250,000.00 fine; one year supervised release; one additional year upon revocation; a $100.00 assessment fee; and child support restitution amount owing at the time of sentencing. The charge is merely an accusation and Ortega is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Wright is prosecuting the case. Ortega was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

Updated June 22, 2015