Defendant sentenced for stealing Social Security benefits

ATLANTA - Monty Jack Stansell has been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to stealing his deceased mother’s Social Security benefits.

“Stansell stole his deceased mother’s Social Security payments for six years, using the money to pay for his own personal expenses,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak.  “Those who steal Social Security benefits threaten the integrity of the program and divert vital resources away from those who need them most.”

“The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General has no higher priority than the investigation and prosecution of those who violate the public’s trust by failing to report Social Security beneficiary deaths and continuing to receive the deceased’s benefits,” stated Special Agent-in-Charge Margaret Moore-Jackson.  “I’m grateful that the U.S. Attorney’s Office shares our determination to protect the integrity of the Social Security Administration’s programs for those who rely on them now and into the future.”

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: Stansell’s mother died on April 1, 2008.  Her Social Security benefits continued to be direct deposited into a joint SunTrust bank account that she shared with Stansell after her death.  When investigators initially questioned Stansell, he claimed that he was unaware that his mother’s Social Security benefits were still being paid after her death.  Stansell admitted to spending money out of the account, but claimed that he never looked at bank statements. 

After investigators questioned Stansell a second time, he admitted that he received notice from the Social Security Administration in late 2008, informing him of his mother’s continued benefits.  Instead of notifying the Social Security Administration that his mother had died, Stansell continued to receive and spend her benefits on his own personal expenses.  In total, Stansell stole over $90,000 in Social Security benefits.

Monty Jack Stansell, 66, of Douglasville, Georgia was sentenced to one year, nine months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $93,872 on August 27, 2018.  Stansell was convicted on these charges on April 25, 2018, after he pleaded guilty.

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane C. Schulman prosecuted the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.