CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) –
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason announced that nine defendants were indicted for failing to pay child support.
The nine defendants owe a combined $266,152.88 in child support arrears. The charge of criminal non-support is a fifth degree felony which carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison.
These indictments are a result of a joint investigative effort by the Cuyahoga County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office. Arraignments for the following defendants are scheduled for Friday, July 20.
- Anthony Peterson, 43, of Cleveland, was indicted on two counts of criminal non-support. He owes $12,732.17 for his 9-year-old child. One hearing was held in Juvenile Court during 2011. The last voluntary payment was made on February 26, 2009, in the amount of $743.46.
In a separate case, Peterson was indicted on four counts of criminal non-support. He owes $60,127.12 for his two children ages 13 and 18. Two hearings were held in Juvenile Court between 2002 and 2011. The last voluntary payment was made on September 16, 2010, in the amount of $550.00.
- Wali Bell, 40, of Shaker Heights, was indicted on two counts of criminal non-support. He owes $43,832.01 for his 11-year-old child. One hearing was held in Domestic Relations Court in 2004. The last voluntary payment was made on November 4, 2008, in the amount of $125.00.
In a separate case, Bell was indicted on two counts of criminal non-support. He owes $23,897.78 for his 12-year-old child. No hearings were held in Juvenile Court. The last voluntary payment was made on August 14, 2008, in the amount of $20.00.
- Tony Whisenant, 50, of Cleveland, was indicted on two counts of criminal non-support. He owes $31,345.77 for his 12-year old child. One hearing was held in Juvenile Court during 2012. The last voluntary payment was made on September 11, 2007, in the amount of $345.00.
- Adam Terry, 38, of Cleveland, was indicted on three counts of criminal non-support. He owes $7,939.23 for his two children ages 18 and 19. Two hearings were held in Juvenile Court between 2010 and 2012. The last voluntary payment was made on June 30, 2012, in the amount of $175.00.
In a separate case, Terry was indicted on two counts of criminal non-support. He owes $17,689.05 for his 15-year-old child. Four hearings were held in Juvenile Court between 2001 and 2008. The last voluntary payment was made on March 9, 2009, in the amount of $500.00.
- John Martin, 36, of Cleveland, was indicted on four counts of criminal non-support. He owes $15,382.61 for his two children ages 4 and 11. No hearings were held in Juvenile Court. The last voluntary payment was made on August 19, 2010, in the amount of $100.00.
- Patrick Bell, 35, of Cleveland, was indicted on two counts of criminal non-support. He owes $14,379.75 for his 6-year-old child. Four hearings were held in Juvenile Court between 2001 and 2008. The last voluntary payment was made on November 15, 2009, in the amount of $289.31.
- Dion Williams, 41, of Cleveland, was indicted on two counts of criminal non-support. He owes $13,232.57 for his 10-year-old child. One hearing was held in Juvenile Court in 2011. No payments have ever been made on this case.
- Alex Murray, 31, of Cleveland, was indicted on two counts of criminal non-support. He owes $12,839.73 for his two children ages 7 and 8. One hearing was held in Juvenile Court between 2006 and 2010. The last voluntary payment was made on September 30, 2010, in the amount of $202.00.
- Taurus Stephens, Sr., 39, of Shaker Heights, was indicted on two counts of criminal non-support. He owes $12,755.09 for his 7-year-old child. One hearing was held in Juvenile Court during 2010. No payments have ever been made on this case.
Article Courtesy of WOIO 19 Action News
