FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Lauren Horwood
March 14, 2011	PHONE: (916) 554-2706
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cae	usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov
Docket #: 1:10-cr-00430-OWW

FRESNO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that Charles Francis Sheppard, 65, of Ceres, pleaded guilty today to theft of government property.

According to the plea agreement, from 1988 to 2009, Sheppard received the Social Security retirement benefits of a legitimate social security recipient who had died in 1988. Sheppard was on the deceased's death certificate as the person to be notified. As such, Sheppard identified the deceased and provided her personal information to the county recorder who issued the certificate of death. The Social Security Administration was not informed of the death. Despite his lack of entitlement to the retirement benefits, Sheppard continued to receive the funds and used them for his personal use. During this time, Sheppard unlawfully received between $120,000 and $400,000.

This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri is prosecuting the case.

Sheppard is scheduled to be sentenced on August 1, 2011 by United States District Judge Oliver W. Wanger. The maximum statutory penalty for theft of government property is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

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