A fifth member of the Los Angeles County Child Support Services Department’s Most Wanted Delinquent Parents, surrendered himself in court yesterday to avoid arrest on an outstanding warrant.
Joseph A. Italia turned himself in to LA Superior Court Judge Dennis Landin in Department 82, located in the Central Arraignment Court facility downtown. Italia is the fifth of 10 child support offenders originally included on the County’s "Most Wanted" list to be arrested or to surrender to court in the last three weeks.
The bench warrant for Italia’s arrest was issued in September, 1999, after he failed to appear for a hearing on a probation violation. Italia had been placed on probation in 1997 after entering a plea of "no contest" to a charge of contempt of court [Penal Code section 166 (a) (4)] for failing to support his son.
In court, Judge Landin sentenced Italia to 180 days in the county jail; that sentence was stayed on the conditions that Italia make a lump sum payment of $5,000 on or before July 8, that he resume making payments of current support in the amount of $220.00 and that he pay an additional $225.00 per month on arrears. Italia was ordered to return to Department 82 on May 29 for the court to review his progress.
Prior to his appearance, both Italia and his attorney had been in contact with District Attorney Investigators working arrest warrants on behalf of the Child Support Services Department. Last Friday, Italia made a "good faith" payment of $10,000. At the time he made the lump sum payment, agency records show that Italia’s outstanding balance of unpaid support was more than $264,000. Until last Friday, Italia hadn’t sent a payment for support since September, 1999.
The County’s Most Wanted List for child support evaders was launched by Supervisor Don Knabe, District Attorney Steve Cooley, and Child Support Services Department Director Steven J. Golightly on Tuesday, March 18. Since the existence of the Los Angeles County Most Wanted website was announced, the names and photos of 4 new parents have been added, with more expected as those on the list are arrested or surrender.