News 12 First at Five, August 29, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga -- It's one of the largest sting operations of its kind in Richmond County history -- 169 so-called dead beat moms and dads targeted for being behind on their child support payments.

This week, 73 of them were arrested--and today, some went before a judge to face the music.

It's a catch-22. The 27 in court today broke the law but they need to get out of court to work and make payments. The court is hoping the roundup was a much needed wake up call.

Ewana Singleton hasn't seen a penny from Dwayne Poole to support their eight year old daughter in a year. "It's just the broken promises, the 'I'm coming to bring you some money', but never follows through."

Poole, smiling through the hearing, even tried to run from deputies when they arrested him this week. That's proof, Ewana says, that he doesn't take the more than $6000 he owes on his three children seriously.

"He's working," Ewana said. "It's not that he's not able to make those payments. He's not doing it because he doesn't want to."

News 12: "How frustrating is that?"

Singleton: "Very frustrating because I have to get up and go to work every day and take care of her."

Poole is one of 27 dads and moms who went before the judge Friday arrested this week in the Operation Back to School Sweep for Child Support.

News 12: "Have you paid at all this year?"

Gerrard Middleton: "I ain't paid nothing this year."

Deputies say Middleton's behind $38,000 on just his one child.

Gardner: "Do you feel bad about getting behind on your child support?"

Middleton: "I ain't been working, I got a broke back."

Middleton admitted in court he hasn't worked in three years. Other moms and dads also claimed no job, a defense that fell on deaf ears for Judge Jolly. The accused all ordered to make a payment, some as much as 500 dollars, to get out of jail, get a job and catch up.

And, they got a warning for their next court date from Judge Jolley. "If you haven't paid it, just bring your toothbrush with you," she said.

But Ewana doesn't buy it.

News 12: "Do you have faith it will happen now after bieng locked up?"

Singleton: "Not really. He'll be back."

One man in court owed $82,000; a hole even the judge admitted would be nearly impossible to get out of.

The average person targeted in the sting owed about $4,000.