FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 2, 2010

Nine Defendants Indicted for Owing $279,501.80 in Child Support

James Vagner Indicted for Owing $74,064.47

CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason announced that nine defendants were indicted for failure to pay child support. These nine defendants owe a combined $279,501.80 in child support. 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. Arraignment for these nine defendants was scheduled for February 1, 2010.

Six defendants including Thomas Hockett, Charles Nickens, Erwin Hayes, Marc Brewster, Douglas Wright, and Jeffrey Harris failed to show for arraignment. James Vagner and Derek Whitlow appeared for arraignment and their cases have been scheduled for pre-trial. Sean Brown's arraignment was continued to February 16, 2010.

1. James Vagner, 38, of Cleveland, was indicted on one (1) count of criminal non-support. He owes $11,304.25 for his 19-year-old child. Two hearings were held in Domestic Relations Court between 1996 and 2006. The last voluntary payment was made on January 5, 2006, in the amount of $60.00.
   
   James Vagner, 38 of Cleveland, was indicted on two (2) counts of criminal non-support. He owes $62,760.22 for his 14-year-old child. Two hearing were held in Domestic Relations Court between 1998 and 2007. The last voluntary payment was made on June 9, 2006, in the amount of $200.00.

2. Thomas Hockett, 43, of Brookpark, was indicted on five (5) counts of criminal non-support. He owes $34,389.34 for his three children ages 14, 16, and 18. Three hearings were held in Domestic Relations Court between 1999 and 2001. The last voluntary payment was made on October 3, 2008, in the amount of $50.00.

3. Charles Nickens, 37, of Cleveland, was indicted on three (3) counts of criminal non-support. He owes $31,896.00 for his 10-year-old child. Four hearings were held in Juvenile Court between 2002 and 2009. The last voluntary payment was made on April 27, 2009, in the amount of $100.00.

4. Erwin Hayes, 49, of Cleveland, was indicted on eleven (11) counts of criminal non-support. He owes $31,327.27 for his four children ages 13, 17, 20, and 21. Two hearings were held in Domestic Relations Court between 1998 and 2007. The last voluntary payment was made on February 11, 2005, in the amount of $132.60.

5. Marc Brewster, 41, of Cleveland, was indicted on two (2) counts of criminal non-support. He owes $27,938.16 for his 18-year-old child. Three hearings were held in Domestic Relations Court between 2000 and 2009. The last voluntary payment was made on June 19, 2008, in the amount of $188.29.

6. Derek Whitlow, 43, of Cleveland, was indicted on two (2) counts of criminal non-support. He owes $26,120.94 for his 12-year-old child. Three hearings were held in Juvenile Court between 2004 and 2009. The last voluntary payment was made on July 6, 2009, in the amount of $100.00.

7. Sean Brown, 38, of Cleveland, was indicted on three (3) counts of criminal non-support. He owes $25,246.95 for his 12-year-old child. Two hearings were held in Juvenile Court between 2005 and 2009. The last voluntary payment was made on July 23, 2009, in the amount of $146.82.

8. Douglas Wright, 41, of Cleveland, was indicted on three (3) counts of criminal non-support. He owes $21,150.69 for his 17-year-old child. Two hearings were held in Juvenile Court between 2006 and 2009. The last voluntary payment was made on April 10, 2009, in the amount of $402.00.

9. Jeffrey Harris, 25, of Cleveland, was indicted on two (2) counts of criminal non-support. He owes $7,367.98 for his 6-year-old child. Three hearings were held in Juvenile Court between 2007 and 2009. The last voluntary payment was made on August 16, 2007, in the amount of $56.39.  
   
   Contact: Ryan Miday, Public Information Officer, (216) 698-2819, cell (216) 299-9326 or rmiday@cuyahogacounty.us