Butler County Man Pleads Guilty To Stealing Disability Insurance Benefits

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Butler County, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of government money, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Jody Schmidt, 46, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Court Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from January 2005 to December 2012, Schmidt converted to his own use $71,450.00 in Social Security Title II, Disability Insurance benefit payments, which he knew he was not entitled to receive.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 10 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentence, the court released Schmidt on bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation that lead to the prosecution of Schmidt.