Darius McCrary Released from Custody Ahead of Sentencing for Child Support Charges
The Family Matters alum Darius McCrary is out of custody two months after his apprehension near the U.S.-Mexico border.
“For the past four years, Mr. McCrary’s pursuit of justice and truth has been incorrectly portrayed as an effort to evade his duties toward his child,” stated the former child actor’s public defender, Paulette Loftin, in remarks shared with Us Weekly on Tuesday, December 9. “The resolution reached today makes it clear that family is important to him and always has been.”
Loftin added, “This agreement enables Mr. McCrary to rectify the inaccurate story surrounding him and move forward from this incident.”
McCrary, age 49, was taken into custody by United States Border Patrol agents in California during October on what was classified as a “fugitive arrest,” as Us confirmed previously. He was detained in a San Diego correctional facility with no possibility of release on bond.
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A representative for McCrary informed TMZ that the actor's apprehension stemmed from a warrant issued in Michigan due to a skipped court hearing concerning overdue child support payments.
In a statement to Us, a spokesperson for McCrary explained the arrest, asserting that he was “detained at the Mexican Border because he was collaborating with a property developer constructing residences for unhoused individuals in Tijuana, Mexico.”
“Darius was engaged in charitable work when he learned about the outstanding felony warrant at the Mexican Border, which originated from a missed court date,” the statement further clarified. “The missed appearance concerned an ongoing child support disagreement where Oakland County sent the notice to appear to Darius's P.O. box, allowing him only 3 days to present himself in Michigan Court. Regrettably, Darius was suffering from Covid at the time and did not check his P.O. box until the day after his scheduled court date. Nonetheless, he promptly informed the Judge and provided a medical diagnosis note confirming his Covid infection.”
After a hearing on Monday, McCrary’s representative, Ann Barlow, verified that the “It's Real” vocalist submitted a no-contest plea for all five felony charges. He is scheduled to reappear in court for sentencing in February 2026.
“We are thankful that Mr. McCrary will be able to spend Christmas with his family at home. While today represents significant headway, his quest for justice is ongoing,” Barlow stated in comments shared with Us.
Us previously reported in October that the Next Day Air actor could face a prison sentence of up to four years, following charges of four felonies related to alleged outstanding child support payments several months prior to his apprehension. His representative asserted to Us then that McCrary has consistently provided for his child and engaged in his son's life whenever possible.
In August 2024, McCrary submitted a request to dismiss the bench warrant issued for his arrest on June 24, 2024, which resulted from a failed court appearance. His attorney claimed McCrary possesses a “close, caring, appropriate, and affectionate relationship with his three minor children, including the child involved in this matter.”
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McCrary was previously married to Juliette M. Vann from 2005 to 2006, Karrine Steffans from 2009 to 2011 and Tammy Brawner from 2014 to 2017. The identities of his three children have remained private.
His lawyer further contended that “McCrary, a resident of California and prominent community member, was absent for the arraignment regarding this information on June 24, 2024, because he did not receive the notice sent to a P.O. box situated far from his home and not monitored daily, unlike his actual residence; furthermore, he did not receive an email notification as typically provided” by the court.
The document also asserted that McCrary was infected with COVID-19 when he missed the scheduled court appearance.
“Had he traveled from California to Michigan on June 24, 2024, he would have endangered the public, including fellow airline passengers and individuals in the courtroom, by exposing them to COVID,” according to the text in the legal filing.
