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Two Dead-Beat Dads Arrested |
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| William Paul Churchwell |
James Lee Spires |
In separate investigations, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department fugitive investigators arrested a 32-year-old Lexington man and 40-year-old Gilbert man who were wanted on family court bench warrants that were issued after the two men did not make a combined total of more than $38,000 in unpaid, court-ordered child support payments in Lexington County.
Lexington County Sheriff James R. Metts said investigators arrested William Paul Churchwell, 32, of 101 Topaz Court, Lot 4, Lexington; and James Lee Spires, 40, of 372 Semm Sease Road, Gilbert. Churchwell and Spires were being held on Thursday, November 5 at the Lexington County Detention Center while awaiting hearings in family court to resolve their Lexington County child support cases.
Investigators arrested Churchwell on two family court bench warrants at 9:50 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3 at Churchwell’s home, Metts said. Investigators saw Churchwell looking out the kitchen window when they arrived at the home. Churchwell refused to answer the front door. Investigators found Churchwell hiding under a bed in his mother’s bedroom at the home.
Investigators arrested Spires at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4 at Spires’ home, Metts said. Investigators found Spires standing by a camp fire in the backyard of his home.
So far this year, Lexington County sheriff’s fugitive investigators have arrested 93 habitual offenders who did not make a combined total of more than $2.4 million in court-ordered child support payments in Lexington County, Metts said.
Lexington County Clerk of Court Beth Carrigg said a family court judge issued one bench warrant for Churchwell’s arrest on March 17 and a second bench warrant for Churchwell’s arrest on April 8 after Churchwell did not make court-ordered child support payments totaling $28,677 in Lexington County. A family court judge issued a bench warrant for Spires’ arrest on July 24 after Spires did not make court-ordered child support payments totaling $10,215 in Lexington County.
So far this year, fugitive investigators have served more than 481 family court bench warrants on dead-beat parents who have not made court-ordered child support payments in Lexington County, Metts said. In 2008, investigators served 668 family court bench warrants on persons who did not make court-ordered child support payments in Lexington County.
Non-custodial parents who owe court-ordered child support payments in Lexington County can make arrangements to resolve family court bench warrants that have been issued for their arrests by calling the Clerk of Court’s Office at (803) 785-1196, Carrigg said.
Non-custodial parents who are wanted on family court bench warrants also can surrender at the Lexington County James R. Metts Law Enforcement Complex, 521 Gibson Road, Lexington, Metts said.
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