Attorney general’s office says father owes child support

Published 10:51 pm Friday, February 8, 2019

A Brookhaven man was one of three in the state who was arrested recently for not paying child support, authorities said.

Investigators with the Attorney General Jim Hood’s Child Desertion Unit arrested 48-year-old William Rich Hennington on an outstanding bench warrant.

Hood said they also arrested Victor Maurice Jr., 41, of Harrison County, who was serving his long-standing indictment, and Gregory Williams, 34, of Biloxi, who was apprehended on an outstanding bench warrant.

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Each was charged with felony non-support of a child.

According to the indictment, Hennington owes $13,263.37 for the period of September 2003 through April 2018. Maurice owes $13,265 for January 2014 to April 2018 and Williams owes $12,394 from January 2011 to March 2018.

If convicted, each man faces up to five years in prison and full restitution. A charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law, Hood said.

These cases were investigated by the AG’s Public Integrity Division with assistance from Gulfport and Brookhaven police departments. The cases will be prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorney General Dana Sims.

The Office of the Attorney General prosecutes cases regarding unpaid child support when all other avenues are exhausted or the case has been referred by the Department of Human Services.

To file a complaint regarding unpaid child support, contact the DHS hotline at 877-882-4916.