FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 1995

           DEAD-BEAT DAD PLEADS GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT

     The Criminal Division of the Department of Justice,
announced that Lawrence Sargus, 45, of Columbus, Ohio, was
sentenced on August 7, 1995, after pleading guilty on July 13,
1995, to a charge of willfully failing to pay his child support
obligation.  
     The federal "deadbeat" statute, 18 usc 228, which became
effective in October 1992, was enacted as part of the Child
Support Recovery Act of 1992.  The charge carries a maximum
penalty for a first offense of up to six months in prison and a
$5,000 fine.  Restitution for past due support is also required.
     Sargus is an accountant and bookkeeper.  He was charged with
the willful failure to pay child support as ordered by the court
of common pleas for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in a one
count criminal information filed on July 7, 1995.  Sargus had
been held in contempt of court on numerous occasions between 1987
and 1994, for failure to pay his required support obligation. 
Warrants issued in pennsylvania for his arrest were ignored by
sargus, who eluded service while living in Ohio. 
     Sargus was given a six month jail term which was suspended
on certain terms and conditions.  He is required to settle
accounts for past due support in Pennsylvania for $16,412.00, And
will be required to maintain his current support obligation until
his youngest child reaches the age of 18.  Sargus was
additionally ordered to complete 50 hours of community service,
and was ordered to pay a $10.00 special monetary assessment to
the court. 
     This case was prosecuted by M. Craig Wolf, trial attorney
for the child exploitation and obscenity section of the
Department of Justice's Criminal Division.

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95-450