California Woman Indicted For Failure To Pay Child Support

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

Cheryl K. Ernesti, a/k/a Cheryl K. Houska and Cheryl K. Pangan, age 42, was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 2, 2013, for failing to pay over $19,853 in past due child support.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John E. Simko on November 6, 2013, and pled not guilty to the Indictment. 

The maximum penalty upon conviction is two years' imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, one year supervised release, one additional year upon revocation, a $100.00 assessment fee to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and child support restitution amount owing at the time of sentencing. 

The charge is merely an accusation and Ernesti 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. 

Ernesti was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.