Man admits stealing $105K in disability benefits

A Vancleave man has admitted he stole nearly $106,000 in disability benefits from the Social Security Administration.

Ricky Wade Perry, 46, has pleaded guilty to theft of government funds, a charge punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Chief U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. will sentence him Nov. 1.

Perry stole about $105,793 from the Social Security Administration between July 2009 and March 2015, an indictment said. The money was from Social Security Disability Insurance payments.

A federal grand jury indicted Perry on March 22.

Perry has remained free on a $25,000 bond since his initial court appearance in April 6.

The conditions of his release indicate he is working. His travel is restricted to South Mississippi and for job-related travel to Houston and to Florida and Pennsylvania, a court document says. He also is required to keep contact his pre-trial services officer after he has returned home from a work trip.

Perry pleaded guilty on June 26.

SunHerald.com is working on an updated report.

This story was originally published August 2, 2016 at 11:41 AM with the headline "Man admits stealing $105K in disability benefits."