Texas' top deadbeat dad pleads guilty

SAN ANTONIO, May 8 (UPI) -- A Texas man accused of owing more than $760,000 in child support pleaded guilty to leaving the country to avoid paying the sum.

Troy Lee Neel, 43, pleaded guilty Thursday to traveling abroad to avoid paying child support, and could face up to two years in federal prison at his June 18 sentencing by U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez, the San Antonio Express-News reported Friday.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said it took 10 years to catch up with Neel, who spent several years living in the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu. He said Neel was arrested by investigators from the Health and Human Services Department's Office of Inspector General in December after getting off a plane in Los Angeles.

"This is the most egregious child support evader in Texas history," Abbott said of Neel, who disputes the amount of money he is accused of owing.

Abbot said the money Neel owes for the support of his two children dates back to 1998, when he was ordered to pay $5,000 a month based on his earnings as a professional baseball player with the Oakland A's and Japan's Orix BlueWave.