Colorado Man Indicted For Failure To Pay Child Support

Colorado Man Indicted For Failure To Pay Child Support

A Denver, Colorado man has been hit with federal charges after failing to pay over $33,601 in child support, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota.

Joe S. Romero, 42, was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 8, 2013, for failing to pay the past due child support, said U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson in a statement.

Romero appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John E. Simko on June 17, 2013, and pleaded not guilty to the indictment, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and one year of supervised release.

The investigation into Romero’s case was conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Wright is prosecuting the case.

Romero was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal, pending a trial date, which has not yet been set.

The charge against Romero is merely an accusation, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also noted that Romero owes child support restitution, which will be determined at the time of sentencing.

The case highlights the importance of holding parents accountable for their child support obligations, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office in a statement.

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