Watchung Man Among 36 Arrested for Not Paying Child Support

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office arrested 36 people for non-payment of child support during a three-day sweep as part of a statewide operation.  A fugitive wanted by Puerto Rico authorities also was arrested during the sweep. 

Sheriff’s Officers, operating in teams, served outstanding warrants and made arrests, including one served on Watchung resident David Bell. Of those arrested for non-support, six individuals had additional contempt-of-court warrants out of various municipalities.  The owed child-support payments totaled $391,150.89.

 “The roundup was conducted to remind parents of the importance of making regular child-support payments and hopefully to renew their commitment to do the right thing,” said Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano. “Children depend on child support for their basic needs such as food, shelter and healthcare.

“The roundup was a great success as the statistics show,” he said. “What they don’t show is how many delinquent parents pay up once they know we are looking for them. Knowing that they face possible arrest encourages a delinquent parent to uphold his or her obligations or face incarceration. It creates a compounding effect of payments that lasts weeks after the roundup.”

A fugitive wanted by the San Juan, Puerto Rico Police Department also was apprehended. Officers were verifying identifications at a residence on Main Street in Somerville when they learned that Eduardo Vargas-Faris, 25, was being sought on a $5-million warrant issued by Aguadilla Court, Puerto Rico, charging him with a 2011 murder, attempted murder on three others and weapons offenses. He was arrested without incident and lodged in the Somerset County Jail on $250,000 bail, awaiting extradition to Puerto Rico.