Hixson Man Who Owes Over $116,000 In Child Support Faces Federal Charges

A Hixson man who owes almost $117,000 in child support is facing federal charges in Federal Court in Chattanooga. The criminal complaint was brought against Shaun M. Martin after a special agent of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said he had worked regularly, but made few payments to his wife and son in Indiana since first ordered to do so in 1995. Agent David R. White of Indianapolis said Martin was ordered to pay $169 per week for the support of his son, who was born in 1994. He said Martin left his wife and moved with a girlfriend to either Switzerland and Taiwan when his son was very young. The agent said Martin has maintained jobs while moving frequently, but only made a few child support payments when his wages were garnisheed. He said Martin's wife two years ago came to the residence of Martin's father on Cove Ridge Drive in Hixson and spoke in person with Martin about the back child support payments. She said she told him she was willing to go to court with him and get the amount owed reduced if he would just start paying something. She said he told her that was a great idea, but he never appeared with her in court. The agent said Martin now lives with a girlfriend in an apartment on S. Dent Road in Hixson and works at the Sears Outlet Store on Highway 153.