St. Louis County Man Admits Stealing Dead Relative’s Government Benefits

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri

ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Louis County, Missouri on Wednesday admitted stealing a dead relative’s government benefits.

Alphonso Dixon, 57, of St. Louis County, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government money.

Dixon’s relative died on Dec. 31, 2008, but her death was not reported to the Social Security Administration and her Social Security benefits continued to be deposited into her bank account. She also received at least one COVID-related stimulus payment, on April 7, 2021, as well as pension benefits from the City of St. Louis Employees Retirement System. Dixon accessed her bank account and used that money for his own benefit.

In all, Dixon took $115,392 in Social Security benefits, the $1,400 stimulus payment and $36,000 in pension money.

Dixon is scheduled to be sentenced on August 21. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both prison and a fine.

The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwen Carroll is prosecuting the case.