United States Attorney James T. Jacks
Northern District of Texas

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2010
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txn/

AMARILLO WOMAN INDICTED FOR STEALING CHILD’S
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

AMARILLO, Texas — A federal grand jury in Amarillo has returned a three-count indictment against Blanca Alvarez, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. The indictment charges Alvarez, 50, of Amarillo, with one count of theft from the government and two counts of Social Security fraud. She is scheduled to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Clinton E. Averitte, on Tuesday, December 7, 2010.

According to the indictment, beginning in June 2001, and continuing through December 2009, Alvarez made false statements, and caused others to make false statements, to the Social Security Administration representing that she was caring for a minor child, when, as Alvarez well knew, that child was in the care of the State of Texas and she wasn’t entitled to benefits. She stole approximately $26,718 in payments to which she was not entitled.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. If convicted, however, Alvarez faces a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and $250,000 fine on the theft from government count and five years and a $250,000 fine on the Social Security fraud counts. In addition, she could be ordered to pay restitution.

The case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy L. Drake of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Amarillo, is in charge of the prosecution.

###