Former “Family Matters” actor Darius McCrary walked free from custody two months after his arrest at the U.S.–Mexico border on a Michigan warrant tied to unpaid child support.
McCrary, 49, was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents on Oct. 5 at a San Diego port of entry. The warrant stemmed from missed court dates in Michigan, where he faced multiple felony charges for failing to appear in a child-support hearing. At his first court appearance in San Diego, a judge denied bail, calling him a flight risk.
He was later extradited to Michigan on Oct. 29 and lodged in an Oakland County jail.
No-Contest Plea and Release
On Dec. 8, McCrary entered a no-contest plea to five felony counts. His representatives said the plea agreement cleared up misunderstandings and emphasized he remained committed to his responsibilities. “This resolution allows Mr. McCrary to correct the misleading narrative,” his public defender told media. McCrary is scheduled to be formally sentenced in February 2026.
In a statement, his rep noted McCrary had missed the Michigan notice because it was sent to a P.O. box she said he had not checked while recovering from COVID-19.
McCrary’s 2025 arrest was not his first legal brush related to child support. Court records show he owed tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid support dating back years. According to his public defender, prior custody disputes with his ex-wife resulted in full custody of their daughter being awarded to her in 2019, amid concerns about McCrary’s behavior.
Despite these legal challenges, industry observers note McCrary has maintained steady acting work — though none at the level of his 1990s sitcom fame.