Most Wanted Child Support Evader Arrested

AUSTIN, November 12, 2004 – Less than 24 hours after Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott named James White to his new Top Ten List of Child Support Evad

ers, the Mesquite Police Department received a tip that led to the man’s arrest. White was apprehended by three Mesquite police officers, who received an anonymous call that White could be found at a relative’s home in Mesquite. White owes $57,745 for support of his 16-year-old son in Burleson.

Attorney General Abbott met with the boy’s mother on Nov. 5 in Fort Worth when he added White to the top ten list. “There are real consequences to those who refuse to pay child support,” said Attorney General Abbott. “Due to an alert citizen and a quick response from the Mesquite Police Department, one of Texas’ most wanted child support evaders is now behind bars.” James White

White is being held in the Dallas C ounty jail on charges of felony criminal nonsupport. He was indicted in September 2003, after Johnson County District Attorney Dale Hanna presented the case to the grand jury. White will be transferred to Johnson County to face the pending charge.

A conviction for criminal nonsupport could result in a maximum sentence of up to two years imprisonment in the state jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

Two other evaders, Pablo Cantu and Traci Chavez, came forward last week after seeing their faces on the Attorney General’s new top ten list. Since that time, Cantu and Chavez have made court appearances to address their failure to pay child support. Cantu made a $4,000 payment toward his child support debt and was ordered to pay an additional $2,150 by Dec. 16 or serve 180 days in jail.

Chavez made a $1,000 child support payment toward her arrearage and was ordered to make weekly payments of $75. A total of 54 evaders, including the three from the most recent list, have be! en arrested or located since Attorney General Abbott took office. For a parent to be named a Most Wanted Child Support Evader, court-ordered delinquent support must be in excess of $5,000 and an arrest warrant issued. The location of the parent must be unknown, and no child support payments made in the last six months. The parent must not be involved in bankruptcy proceedings or receiving welfare benefits. The parent with custody of the children must sign a confidentiality waiver before the Evader can be added to the list.

The public is encouraged to report information that could lead to the arrest of missing Child Support Evaders by calling 1-866-EVADERS (382-3377).

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