Armstrong County Truck Driver Sentenced to Probation for Ripping Off Social Security

PITTSBURGH – An Armstrong County truck driver has been sentenced in federal court to five years of probation with six months home detention (and ordered to pay $55,012 restitution) on his conviction of theft of government property, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Terrence F. McVerry imposed the sentence on Billy Joe Toy, 45, of Worthington, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, Toy received Social Security disability insurance benefit payments based on his alleged inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity, and thereby caused $55,012 in disability payments to be paid to him and on behalf of his minor child, while he was employed as a truck driver and concealed his compensation for the payment of his wages to his wife’s business.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge McVerry stated that this serious crime typically warrants imprisonment but Toy’s history and characteristics merited a sentence of probation with home confinement.

Assistant United States Attorney Leo M. Dillon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Toy.