Former sitcom star Darius McCrary has been released from a San Diego jail and sent to Michigan, authorities confirmed Wednesday. McCrary was detained Oct. 5 by the U.S. Border Patrol as he re-entered the U.S. from Mexico on a felony fugitive warrant.
The warrant stemmed from a missed court appearance in Oakland County, Michigan, tied to unpaid child-support obligations. “This marks his third arrest for similar charges,” noted prosecutors at his California hearing.
Darius McCrary Court Hearing and Release
At a hearing Oct. 15 in San Diego Superior Court, McCrary attempted to represent himself and repeatedly declared he was “specially appearing for Darius McCrary.” The judge found him a flight risk, denied bail, and approved extradition. Shortly afterwards, Michigan officials took custody. His spokesperson later told media that, “he plans to continue to fight his case in Michigan.”
Court filings state that McCrary owed more than $75,000 in child support as of August 2024 and that the past-due amount “is substantially higher” now. In his defence, his representative argued that McCrary missed the Michigan court date because he was ill with COVID-19 and did not check his Post Office box in time. “Unfortunately, Darius had COVID therefore did not check his P.O. Box until the day after his court date,” she said. McCrary also contends he was in Tijuana volunteering with a housing-project rather than pursuing real-estate deals, as prosecutors claimed.
McCrary, best known for playing Eddie Winslow on the ’90s sitcom Family Matters, has faced legal trouble over child-support obligations before. He was previously arrested in 2015 and again in 2023 on similar issues. The Michigan docket now will determine the next steps. McCrary is expected to appear before an Oakland County judge, where the unpaid-support case remains active.
His representative emphasized concerns over due-process, stating, “We are gearing up for the fight with Oakland County as they have repeatedly violated Mr. McCrary’s due process and rights.”