Fed'l Judge Gives Deadbeat Dad a 1-Year Jail Sentence
Although a prosecutor sought probation, so that Danny Collins could try to work off his hefty child support debt, a federal judge in Florida had different ideas.
In an unusual case, U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday gave the deadbeat dad a one-year jail sentence on Tuesday, reports the St. Petersburg Times. He also ordered Collins to pay nearly $30,000 in child-support arrears.
The federal court had jurisdiction of the criminal case because the mother, Michelle Wilder, is from Seminole, Fla., and Collins, a 43-year-old electrician, resides in Weedsport, N.Y. He reportedly has a pattern of moving after contempt orders are entered against him in child support matters.
His son, Brandon Wilder, is 14 and saw his dad for the first time Tuesday, according to the newspaper. He didn’t get to talk with his father as he had hoped to do, however, because Collins was immediately taken into custody to begin serving his jail sentence. His mother says she was reluctant to let him attend the court session, but figured it might be his only chance to see his dad.
“I really didn’t know if I should feel bad for him or if I should hate him or resent him,” Brandon Wilder told the Times after the sentencing.
Collins is also in arrears on child support payments for four other children, apparently from other relationships, according to what prosecutors told the judge.
“I’m an idiot,” Collins reportedly told Merryday at one point on Tuesday, in response to a question from the judge.
