Foreign National Indicted for Interstate or Foreign Flight to Evade a Legal Child Support Obligation

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JESSE KAPTEIN ("KAPTEIN"), age 49, formerly of New Orleans, was indicted on October 16, 2026, for Interstate or Foreign Flight to Evade a Legal Child Support Obligation, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 228(a)(2) and (c)(2), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. If convicted, KAPTEIN faces a maximum sentence of up to two (2) years, a fine of up to $100,000, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. In addition, KAPTEIN faces a term of supervised release up to one (1) year after his release from prison.

According to the indictment, KAPTEIN married H.R. ("Spouse") on April 16, 2011. On February 25, 2013, KAPTEIN and his Spouse had a daughter ("Minor Child") in the United Kingdom and they moved to New Orleans, Louisiana in April 2013. In April 2014, KAPTEIN's spouse filed for divorce in the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans ("CDC"), New Orleans, and on May 19, 2015, CDC entered a judgment ordering $5,000 in monthly child support for Minor Child and awarding full custody of Minor Child to the child's mother. In September, 2025, KAPTEIN left the United States. As of the date of this indictment, KAPTEIN owes more than $659,000.00 in unpaid child support. An arrest warrant for KAPTEIN was issued in conjunction with this indictment.

U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. The prosecution of this case is being handled by U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle and Brian M. Klebba, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division and Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.