Mount Clemens, MI - Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced that Brandon Peterson, a 44-year-old Sterling Heights man, was arraigned in two separate cases related to allegations of failure to pay child support. In the first case, he is alleged to have accrued an arrearage of over $7,500. In the other case, the alleged arrearage is nearly $10,500.
In both cases, Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Tracey A. Yokich ordered Peterson to pay child support. The first order was issued on May 26, 2009. Related to that support order, it is alleged that Peterson owes back child support in the amount of the amount of $7,550.45
The second support order was issued on December 20, 2012. Related to that order, it is alleged that Peterson owes back child support in the amount of $10,450.64.
On both cases, Peterson has had five Show Cause Hearings.
After exhausting all enforcement options and determining Peterson has the ability to pay, the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office charged Peterson in each case with failure to pay child support, a felony, which carries a potential penalty of up to four (4) years in prison.
On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, Peterson was arraigned on both cases in the 41B District Court in Clinton Township before Magistrate Ryan Zemke. Bond was set at $1,877.00 in the first case. The bond for the second case is $2,612.00. Each bond must be paid in cash, no 10%. A Probable Cause Conference is set for Monday, September 15, 2025 at 8:30 am before 41B District Court Judge Sebastian Lucido.
“Parents have a legal and moral obligation to support their children. When someone repeatedly refuses to meet that responsibility, despite the ability to do so, it harms the children and places an unfair burden on others. Our office takes these cases seriously, and last week’s arraignment reflects our commitment to holding individuals accountable when they are alleged to willfully fail to support their families,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
Prosecutor Lucido has proposed the creation of a Child Support Specialty Court, a pilot program aimed at helping parents behind on child support payments find work, pay arrears and avoid felony convictions. “Our goal is simple: get children the support they’re owed while addressing the barriers that keep parents from paying,” Lucido said.
Under Lucido’s direction, the office has focused on securing compliance rather than simply filing charges. The Family Division of the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office oversees felony nonsupport cases where arrears exceed $5,000, payments have not been made for three consecutive months, and there is evidence that the noncustodial parent has the financial means to pay. Since 2022, the division successfully collected over $3.2 million for children from delinquent parents.
For assistance with child support cases, contact the Office of Child Support at (866) 540-0008. For cases involving arrears of $5000 or more, reach out to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office Family Division at (586) 493-4488.
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office represents the People. We are committed to achieving justice and following the laws of the State of Michigan. All that are accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office
Contact: Esther Wolfe, Communications Director
Office: 586-469-5737
Email: esther.wolfe@macombgov.org
