Newport News man pleads guilty to stealing Social Security funds from his deceased neighbor’s account

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man pled guilty yesterday to theft of government property.

According to court documents, beginning on July 5, 2018, Alonzo Darren McClary, 62, held power of attorney to make decisions for his elderly neighbor in the event the neighbor was incapacitated or passed away. McClary occasionally withdrew funds from the neighbor’s bank account to assist the neighbor as needed.

After the neighbor passed away on Feb. 20, 2020, the Social Security Administration (SSA) continued to pay benefits into the neighbor’s bank account. Rather than inform SSA that the neighbor had passed, McClary continued to withdraw money from the neighbor’s bank account. McClary caused a benefit overpayment of $62,957.92 from which he stole for his personal use.

McClary is scheduled to be sentenced on May 19 and faces up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The SSA Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mack Coleman is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:25-cr-81.