Indictment: Wellington Woman Worked While Collecting Disability Benefits

WICHITA, KAN. – A Wellington woman was indicted Wednesday on federal charges of collecting more than $92,000 in Social Security disability benefits while she was working, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said. In addition, she was charged with misusing a credit card belonging to her church to obtain cash and buy merchandise for herself.

 

Amy D. McLain, 49, Wellington, Kan., was charged with one count of Social Security fraud, one count of theft of government funds, two counts of making false statements and one count of wire fraud.

 

Her husband, Jeffrey L. McLain, 48, Wellington, Kan., was charged with one count of Social Security fraud and one count of theft of government funds. Her employer, Scott Kreifels, 57, Wellington, Kan., was charged with one count of Social Security fraud and one count of theft of government funds.

 

The indictment alleged that Amy McClain was working for Kreifels Communications and Rural 2.4 Ghz, Inc., both owned by Kreifels, while receiving disability benefits. The three defendants agreed that Amy McLain’s paychecks would be issued in her husband’s name. While receiving benefits, Amy McLain filed federal paperwork stating that she did not have a job.

 

In addition, the indictment alleges Amy McLain used a credit card belonging to the First Baptist Church in Wellington to obtain cash and to buy merchandise including makeup, perfume, purses and meals.

 

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

Social Security fraud, theft of government funds, making a false statement: Up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.

Wire fraud: Up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

 

The Social Security Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting.

 

 

OTHER INDICTMENTS

 

 

Jerry D. Burns, 55, Wichita, Kan., was charged with drug trafficking in a 15-count indictment.

 

Charges included possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, unlawful possession of firearms following a felony conviction, unlawful possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. The crimes were alleged to have occurred in 2017 in Sedgwick County, Kan.

 

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

          Possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine: Not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million.

          Unlawful possession of a firearm: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

          Unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.

          Possession with intent to distribute more than five grams of methamphetamine: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $5 million.

          Possession with intent to distribute marijuana: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $1 million.

 

The Wichita Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.

 

Julian Lopez, Jr., 39, Wichita, Kan., was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Oct. 19, 2017, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

 

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

          Possession with intent to distribute cocaine: Up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million.

          Unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

          Unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

 

The Wichita Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.

 

         

Matthew Lee Fleming, 27, Wichita, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred July 10, 2017, in Wichita, Kan.

 

          If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster is prosecuting.

 

Joseph Shane Allen, 42, Pierceville, Kan., is charged with drug trafficking in a six-count indictment.

 

Charges include possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, unlawful possession of ammunition following a felony conviction, possession of materials and equipment used to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Sept. 28, 2017 in Pawnee County, Kan.

 

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

           Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $5 million.

          Possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.

          Unlawful possession of ammunition following a felony conviction: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

          Possession of materials or equipment to produce methamphetamine: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

           Possession of chemicals used to produce methamphetamine: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.

 

The Finney County Sheriff’s Office and the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh is prosecuting.

 

Juan Jose Soto-Urena, 35, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Oct. 13, 2017, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

 

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforce Removal Operations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson is prosecuting.

 

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.