Dutchess Sheriff's Office discloses child support warrants, encourages social distancing

Social-distancing efforts helped lead the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office to post on Facebook the names, birthdays and hometowns of more than 100 individuals who have warrants out for not paying child support.

Det. Sgt. Stephen Reverri said the sheriff's office has taken similar actions for other types of warrants, but said this is the first time the department had posted names for child support warrants.

The post reads “Due to the National Pandemic, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend the opportunity for those with Family Court Warrants; for FAILURE TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT, to make good. The individuals listed below can contact (845) 486-3866 to obtain their up-to-date purge amount. Assistance paying and vacating the warrant will be provided."

Among other reasons, Reverri said if an individual makes a remote payment it will prevent officers from having to make an arrest in person at a time when officials are discouraging face-to-face contact among all people due to the spread of coronavirus.

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“We are not saying these people are trying to dodge the system, they might not know about it,” said Reverri.

Most of the people on the list are not Dutchess County residents and many do not live in New York.

Saba Ali: SAli1@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-451-4518.