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April 10, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Petersburg Resident Enters Plea to Social Security Fraud

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA — A 32 year old Petersburg, West Virginia, resident entered a plea of guilty on April 6, 2011, in United States District Court in Elkins before Magistrate Judge John S. Kaull.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced that: CRYSTAL V. BENNETT was charged with one count of falsely submitting an application and receiving $14,754.00 in Supplemental Security Income benefits from December of 2008 to October of 2009. BENNETT, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces a maximum exposure of 5 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen D. Warner and was investigated by the Social Security Administration-Officer of Inspector General-Office of Investigations.