Idaho Man Sentenced for Failure to Pay Legal Child Support

US Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Jerome, Idaho, man charged with Failure to Pay Legal Child Support was sentenced on April 13, 2012, by Chief US District Judge Karen E. Schreier. Simon J. Lete, age 46, was sentenced to 6 months of home detention, 5 years of supervised probation, a $100 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund, and child support restitution in the amount of $25,219.43.

Lete was indicted for failing to pay over $19,000 in past due child support by a federal grand jury on September 7, 2011. He was ordered by the Second Judicial Circuit Court, Lincoln County, South Dakota, to pay $181.46 per month for his minor children, commencing March 1, 2002, with child support arrears due from December 2001 through February 2002. At the time of indictment, Lete had made only four child support payments in 2011, one payment in 2010, one payment in 2009, four payments in 2008, no payments in 2006 and 2007, and sporadic payments prior to that. The total arrearage amount at indictment was $19,668.43. He pleaded guilty to the charge on April 13, 2012.

This case was investigated the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. Assistant US Attorney Thomas J. Wright prosecuted the case.