Robert Sand, No. 1 "deadbeat parent," pleads guilty to owing more than $1.2 million to three kids

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Robert Sand

/ AP Photo/U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

(CBS/AP) CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. - A New York man dubbed by prosecutors as the government's most wanted deadbeat parent pleaded guilty Thursday to owing more than $1.2 million to three children from two failed marriages.

Robert Sand, 50, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Central Islip on Long Island to two counts of failing to pay child support. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Bode said the figure includes interest and penalties, and that the child support orders were in arrears since at least 2002.

"Neither court orders nor the familial bond meant anything to him as he fled to avoid his obligations," U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch said in a statement.

Sand told the judge he fled first to Florida and then to Thailand, where he worked in an assortment of odd jobs. His attorney, Glenn Obedin, said his client grew tired of living on the run and contacted authorities late last year.

Sand then flew to the Philippines, where he was arrested and deported in November 2012 because he lacked proper identification, prosecutors said. He was sent to Los Angeles, where he was arrested by federal marshals, and then extradited to New York, where he was held without bail since December 2012.

"He had enough and wanted to come back and have the opportunity to make it right," Obedin said.

Sand faces up to four years in prison when he is sentenced in May.

Obedin said Sand contacted the two mothers of his three children, who claimed that their priority is for Sand to be free to earn a living so he can repay his debt. As part of the plea agreement, Sand is required to make full restitution. He waived his right to appeal the guilty plea.

Obedin said Sand has worked in the past as a car salesman and has an offer to work in that field when he is released.

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by tompat65 March 28, 2013 12:21 PM EDT: What is going on here? I think the f.o.c. is just as guilty as the man. If the foc was doing their job these kind of things would never happen. My daughter has been dealing with a dead beat dad in Mi. And the F.O.C. Does absolutely nothing how come their not doing their job? I think they ought to be looked in to also,if they can,t do their job then get some one in there that will. They are also responsable for letting this get out of control.; Reply to this comment


by fresno500 February 23, 2013 11:45 AM EST: And women have the nerve to really play dumb as to why men want to avoid marriage.

Hurry men and get married. This could be you.; Reply to this comment


by CaptainRonB747-400 February 22, 2013 8:08 PM EST: The guy should have renounced his citizenship and stayed in Thailand. These courts are out of control when it comes to child support. No child can eat, drink, or need support in these huge amounts. The judge had his/her head up their rear end.
The guy was a car salesman not Bill Gates. Even then, Child Support shouldn't be used as a means for the mother to become a lottery winner because of a zealous judge or zealous child support agency.; Reply to this comment

by legacyabq February 22, 2013 6:05 PM EST

Can someone explain to me how the $%#^ someone could possibly owe a MILLION DOLLARS for only ten years of child support???

What is this madness?

Reply to this comment


by legacyabq February 22, 2013 6:06 PM EST: I mean SERIOUSLY, that is more than a LIFETIME'S earnings for many people! Good Grief!!!


by well_I_say February 22, 2013 11:30 PM EST: "Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Bode said the figure includes interest and penalties"


by lucky57e10 February 22, 2013 3:14 PM EST: 23,000 per WEEK FOR 10 YEARS.
DEADBEAT!! You bunch of DIRTY,ROTTON,NO GOOD SONS OF BI!@%#&&.
Don't ANY of you see how WRONG this is. Most of the people on here scream about DISCRIMINATION.

This is the worst kind. Also FACING PRISON!
GREAT DEAL FOR THE MOMS; Reply to this comment


by 636anton33 February 22, 2013 2:07 PM EST: Well ny first thought is how does he owe that much money? Child support should not have the large of a value.; Reply to this comment


by VA_Jill February 22, 2013 2:03 PM EST: And here I thought Joe Walsh was the #1 deadbeat dad!; Reply to this comment


by Necroscope84 February 22, 2013 1:55 PM EST: Hey, better late than never. I doubt he'll ever be able to pay the amount he owes but at least he's trying to do the right thing. Whether he's just tired of running or actually means it is another thing. Either way hopefully he'll take advantage of this second chance and be a father and help support his children. Sorry but I believe that most people deserve a second chance; Reply to this comment


by caljack430 February 22, 2013 1:11 PM EST: hahahahahaha what a cliche... deadbeat parent car salesman. love it.; Reply to this comment


by fasteddieNY February 22, 2013 12:07 PM EST: So, you think you can pay the $1.2 million by becoming a car salesman. Alrighty then!; Reply to this comment