The Daily Mail reports that a retired Army colonel is now in jail after faking a paternity test in order to avoid paying child support.

According to sources, the colonel had fathered a girl during an affair with an enlisted soldier. Both he and the enlisted soldier were married. The girl is now 13 years old. The 55-year-old father was apparently convicted of faking the test over two years ago, but only now begins his sentence after an unsuccessful series of appeals.

In 2008, the colonel was convicted of conspiracy charges and attempted deception when he got a classmate from the Army War College to take the DNA test in his place. The colonel devised the scheme after his daughter's mother requested a $200 increase in monthly child support payments, from $400 to $600. Trial on the issue revealed that the colonel had pressured his former classmate to take the test for him since the colonel had assisted him in his studies back in college.

The colonel was ultimately convicted of seven counts, including solicitation to tamper with or falsify a public record or information and a similar charge related to physical evidence, as well as obstruction of the administration of law. After his conviction, the colonel retired.

A Pennsylvania judge recently ordered the Illinois man to begin his three to 23-month sentence after he was denied an appeal by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Source: Daily Mail Online, "Jail for ex-Army colonel who got college roommate to fake paternity test so he could escape child support," 31 Mar 2011.