Darius McCrary is facing a series of legal battles tied to child support payments, and those disputes came to a head with his recent arrest at the U.S.-Mexico border.
According to Us Weekly, court filings from earlier this year show that McCrary, best known for playing Eddie Winslow on Family Matters, was charged with four felony counts related to unpaid child support.
Prosecutors in Michigan alleged that as of March 31, 2024, the actor owed more than $95,000 in back support.
The legal complications escalated after a bench warrant was issued in June 2024, when McCrary reportedly missed a scheduled hearing.
In August, the 49-year-old asked a Michigan court to drop the warrant, claiming he was never properly notified of the date. He argued that the hearing notice had been mailed to a P.O. box he did not regularly check, rather than to his home address, which he said was already on file.
McCrary’s filings also cited health and family obligations as reasons for his absence. He stated he had contracted COVID in June 2024 and was simultaneously caring for his mother following surgery.
According to his lawyer at the time, prosecutors threatened to extradite him from California if he failed to appear for another scheduled date in August.
The situation intensified earlier this month when McCrary was taken into custody near the U.S.-Mexico border. Online records listed him as a fugitive following the arrest. He is currently being held without bond, with a hearing scheduled for Wednesday, October 15.
Following the arrest, McCrary’s representative Ann Barlow issued a statement calling the matter a “misunderstanding.” She reiterated that the actor was not properly served notice of the court proceedings, which she claims violated his right to due process.
“He did not receive the mailed notice to a PO box, miles from his residence that is not checked daily,” Barlow said, adding that once McCrary learned of the missed date, he immediately contacted the court.
Barlow also emphasized McCrary’s role as a father, stating he has always maintained a relationship with his children and supported them directly.
She noted that one of his sons lived with him for seven years, and that direct contributions to his child have not been credited in the court’s calculations.