Law Enforcement Conducts Child Support Roundup

EAST TEXAS – Tuesday was a busy day in East Texas for child support arrests. Sheriff Maxey Cerliano arrested six Gregg County parents who allegedly violated court orders requiring them to pay child support. The sweep was conducted in conjunction with the Texas Attorney General’s Child Support Division. In addition to the Sheriff’s Office, police departments from Longview and Kilgore participated in the countywide effort. According to a news release from the attorney general’s office, Child Support Division investigators aided the sheriff by providing logistical assistance to locate missing parents.

“Parents have a moral and legal obligation to make regular child support payments,” Attorney General Greg Abbott said. “By collecting child support, we are ensuring young Texans have the resources they need to grow healthy and strong. We are grateful to Sheriff Maxey Cerliano, Longview Police Chief Don Dingler and Kilgore Police Chief Todd Hunter for their unfailing commitment to Texas children.”

Child support investigators held concurrent roundups in Orange and Van Zandt counties. Van Zandt County arrest teams served eleven arrest warrants. Six other warrants were served there prior to the early morning roundup for a total of seventeen arrests. According to Van Zandt County authorities, five other persons are still at large and were not located. Officials say the total delinquent child support payments from these persons total over $810,000.

According to the attorney general’s office, parents who have fallen behind on their child support payments – but are not subject to warrants for their arrest – should immediately contact the Attorney General’s Child Support Division at (800) 252-8014 to make payment arrangements.