Darius McCrary challenges child support charges in court
*Dang! Talk about being up the proverbial creek … Actor Darius McCrary appeared in a San Diego courtroom earlier this week, where he pushed back against the felony child support case that led to his arrest. The former “Family Matters” star told the judge he does not owe child support and claimed the Michigan court system has no authority over him.
McCrary, 49, was arrested October 5 near the California-Mexico border after authorities found a felony warrant from Michigan for failing to appear in a child support hearing. He remains held without bond and faces possible extradition.
Actor says he owes no child support for adult son
A representative for McCrary told Page Six that the complaint comes from the mother of his eldest son, Zecheriah, who is now 18. The rep said McCrary does not owe any child support because his son is legally an adult and already has a trust fund that McCrary contributes to monthly.
The Michigan warrant, however, is tied to allegations of more than $95,000 in unpaid support. The case stems from a missed court date in June 2024. McCrary is facing four felony charges—each tied to one missed payment.
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McCrary speaks out in bond hearing: ‘My due process is trampled’
During the San Diego bond hearing, McCrary made a dramatic appearance. He represented himself in court and identified as a sovereign citizen.
“My right to due process is constantly trampled,” McCrary told the judge. He argued that the state of Michigan has no legal jurisdiction over him in this matter.
When the judge asked if he would allow cameras in the courtroom, McCrary declined. “I just want to make sure my other children weren’t in the media if I mentioned their names,” he said.
Defense points to COVID and miscommunication
McCrary’s team continues to claim the missed hearing was due to illness and poor communication. According to his rep, the court notice was mailed with just three days’ notice to a P.O. box, and McCrary had tested positive for COVID-19 at the time. A doctor’s note was reportedly submitted after the fact.
At the time of his arrest, McCrary was headed to Tijuana for a project to help build homes for the homeless. His rep insists the actor was not trying to flee and called the arrest a misunderstanding.
Long history of support disputes and past arrests
This isn’t McCrary’s first legal trouble tied to child support. In 2015, he was arrested in Michigan for non-payment and released after paying a $5,500 fine. In 2023, he was arrested again after allegedly owing $52,788. He was later released on bond with GPS monitoring.
In 2019, he was ordered to pay $1,366 per month for his daughter Zoey, from his previous marriage to former Harlem Globetrotter Tammy Brawner. That case included allegations of domestic abuse, which McCrary denied.
Public reaction mixes disbelief, support, and skepticism
McCrary’s arrest and courtroom behavior have sparked reactions across social media. Some fans were shocked. Others were not surprised, citing his history and personal struggles. “Eddie has been on some nonsense for a while,” one commenter posted on Lipstick Alley.
Others referenced his sitcom past with irony. “Didn’t this happen in a ‘Family Matters’ episode and they were broken out of a Mexican jail?” joked one user on X. So far, McCrary has not issued an official statement beyond his courtroom remarks.
“Family Matters” star #DariusMcCrary acted as his own attorney after being arrested by Border Patrol agents when he failed to appear in court for $75,000 in unpaid child support for his daughter.
#CourtTV What do YOU think? ⚖️?
MORE HERE: https://t.co/cC0WwzHGcH pic.twitter.com/Arx0fXu1Y1— Court TV (@CourtTV) October 17, 2025
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