A Hawthorne man who thought he didn't have to pay back child support after his parental rights were terminated was ordered Tuesday to pay nearly $17,000.
"You will pay this money to the last cent or you will spend a year in jail," District Judge Dave Gamble told Brandon C. Sweet, 34. "You received a huge benefit by not having a felony conviction."
Sweet's lawyer, Jacob Sommer of Fallon, told Gamble his client received no notice his parental rights were being terminated, and saw the announcement in the newspaper.
He thought once his rights were gone, he didn't have to pay what he owed the mother of his son.
Prosecutor Karen Dustman said the county's child support division went through "substantial efforts" to find Sweet.
"The word was that he was working under the table to avoid detection. This child is nearly 3 years old and he's paid a total of $450," Dustman said.
Sweet pleaded guilty to a gross misdemeanor of attempted failure to support or maintain a child.
"I have made poor decisions," Sweet said. "I tried to get my life together over the past three years. I realize I should have made child support a priority. I am so sorry I messed up my chances with my son. I regret so much where I am at."
Sommer told Gamble his client was taking the judge's advice to expand his job search.
"You may not be a glazier anymore. You may be a burger flipper for awhile. What you are going to be is a wage earner or go to prison," Gamble said.
Gamble adjudicated the case as a gross misdemeanor because the debt would not grow since Sweet no longer had parental rights to the child.
He ordered Sweet to pay $230 a month. The amount could increase if Sweet earns more money.
Gamble sentenced Sweet to one year in Douglas County Jail, suspended for three years. He must reimburse the county $500 for his court-appointed attorney within six months.
Sweet is to abstain from drugs and alcohol during probation.
