Man pleads guilty to not paying nearly $30,000 in child support

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Man pleads guilty to not paying nearly $30,000 in child support

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor

LUDINGTON — A 43-year-old man pleaded guilty in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court to a felony of failure to pay child support Tuesday, Nov. 14.

Odell Eugene Martin, who lives out of state, was extradited to Michigan to face the charge, said Michigan Assistant Attorney General Sarah Brenner. Martin owes almost $30,000, said Brenner, who appeared for the court hearing via Zoom video conferencing.

Defense attorney Nancy Urban made a motion to reduce her client’s bond from $5,000/cash to a personal recognizance bond.

“He’s been lodged for 79 days, and we’re asking for a PR bond so he can start chipping away at his child support,” said Urban. “He is willing to be put on a GPS tether.” Assistant AG Brenner objected to the motion, stating that Martin has “a horrible payment history,” and extradition costs totaled over $4,000. Judge Susan K. Sniegowski denied the motion to reduce bond.

Failure to pay child support is punishable by up to four years in prison.

Sentencing is set for Jan. 9 at 1 p.m.

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