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Press Release

Smith County Man Guilty Of Stealing Government Property

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Texas

Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs

TYLER, Texas – A 33-year-old Tyler, Texas man has pleaded guilty to stealing government property in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.

Raymond Kyle Welsh pleaded guilty to an Information charging him with theft of government property today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie.

According to information presented in court, from January 2003 to September 2010, Welsh concealed and failed to disclose his financial resources and income in order to receive Social Security and Medicaid benefits.  Welsh stole approximately $26,588.00 from the Social Security Administration in the form of Social Security Supplemental Income (SSI) payments and $213,981.19 from the Department of Health and Human Services in the form of Medicaid benefits.  Welsh admitted that he knew he was not entitled to the benefits and that they belonged to the United States government. 

Welsh faces up to 10 years in federal prison, restitution of $240,569.19 and forfeiture of $26,588.00 at sentencing.  A sentencing date has not been set.

            This case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Ann Cozby.

Updated March 12, 2015