Mrs Behavin
Well-Known Member
Deputies in South Carolina have arrested a man they say faked his own death nearly 27 years ago to get out of paying child support.
Deputies, along with the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested Johnny Sterling Martin Tuesday night in Myrtle Beach.
Investigators say Martin was originally arrested in 1979 for failure to pay $4,120 in child support to an ex-wife. He was sentenced to one year behind bars. While on work detail, Sheriff James Metts says Martin escaped.
A few months later, he had a relative call the court and say he had been killed in a bar brawl in Birmingham, Ala. The court dismissed his case until a few days ago.
Martin's ex-wife, Gayle Prince, contacted the Sheriff’s Department last week and reported that Martin had faked his death and was living in Myrtle Beach, Metts said.
According to Martin's current wife, Phyllis Martin, Prince contacted her. Phyllis then got in touch with authorities as well. Phyllis says she never knew about Martin faking his own death, and adds that she's currently in the process of getting a divorce from him.
"I feel sorry for his children," Phyllis says. "Thank God my divorce from him will soon be final."
Martin was using his real name all this time.
"Johnny Martin is the ultimate deadbeat dad, faking his own death to avoid paying money to support his young children who were living in Lexington County," Metts said. "We have worked closely with the family court to ensure that Martin was brought to justice in Lexington County for his unprecedented efforts to avoid making court-ordered child support payments."
It's estimated Martin now owes more than $30,000 in child support. He'll have a bond court hearing Friday for avoiding the child support payments.
Deputies, along with the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested Johnny Sterling Martin Tuesday night in Myrtle Beach.
Investigators say Martin was originally arrested in 1979 for failure to pay $4,120 in child support to an ex-wife. He was sentenced to one year behind bars. While on work detail, Sheriff James Metts says Martin escaped.
A few months later, he had a relative call the court and say he had been killed in a bar brawl in Birmingham, Ala. The court dismissed his case until a few days ago.
Martin's ex-wife, Gayle Prince, contacted the Sheriff’s Department last week and reported that Martin had faked his death and was living in Myrtle Beach, Metts said.
According to Martin's current wife, Phyllis Martin, Prince contacted her. Phyllis then got in touch with authorities as well. Phyllis says she never knew about Martin faking his own death, and adds that she's currently in the process of getting a divorce from him.
"I feel sorry for his children," Phyllis says. "Thank God my divorce from him will soon be final."
Martin was using his real name all this time.
"Johnny Martin is the ultimate deadbeat dad, faking his own death to avoid paying money to support his young children who were living in Lexington County," Metts said. "We have worked closely with the family court to ensure that Martin was brought to justice in Lexington County for his unprecedented efforts to avoid making court-ordered child support payments."
It's estimated Martin now owes more than $30,000 in child support. He'll have a bond court hearing Friday for avoiding the child support payments.
