17 deadbeat parents arrested in Arpaio sweep

by Lisa Wilcox/KTAR (February 16th, 2009 @ 10:29am)

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Seventeen parents were arrested for failing to pay child support in a weekend crime sweep.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio said enforcing legal responsibility on deadbeat parents may become even harder now that the Department of Economic Security has announced budget cuts.

Arpaio said it will reduce their ability to collect and maintain child support payments. And that's just for the parents who live here.

"About 67 percent are out of the state, and it's very difficult because of the very lax laws to bring them back to Maricopa County."

He said they did get their hands on some people who were trying to get out of town. "We were able to grab the husband, just before he was leaving the jurisdiction. He owed $100,000. And we arrested another one just about ready to skip.

Arpaio's weekend deadbeat parent round-up operation included the help of more than 100 volunteer posse members.

Last 4 Comments

• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Lets see....he caught 17?

  EricFranco

  He has 500 warrants on dead-beat dads/moms. 17/500 = 3.4% of success. And...Arpaio bloats about this? I would be ashamed if any department I manage have that weak success rate.

  2879
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  So now he's an expert

  dell

  on DES. While I agree these guys (people) should be held accountable where does Arpaio the expert get off being an expert on everything. Seems like one of those types who knows just enough about everything outside of his professional career to be dangerous. Oh wait he is.

  2847
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  Where do I sign up?

  Kellie G

  Hey, Joe, I've got an ex that lives in Mesa. I can give you his address, just not what job he's working this month. He owes my girls an easy $40 grand, but he thinks he is not responsible for them because his recovery church taught him not to associate with anyone not "equally yoked." (I will not go off on that. That is a separate tirade.) So how do I get on your list? What's the magic phrase, the password, the secret hand signal? I'd hire a lawyer to find out if I could find one that will answer a phone call or email. Business must be really good for lawyers now that the country's in such a financial mess. Doesn't matter so much to me, we've been in a financial mess since he left 13 years ago.

  2835
• 0 Reply Abuse Vote

  keep going joe

  garbageingarbageout

  catch these vermon before they slither back under the wall

  2827
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