Kittanning Resident Sentenced for Theft of Disabled Child’s Social Security Benefits

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania

A resident of Kittanning, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 36 months of probation, including an initial five months of home detention, and ordered to pay restitution of $17,000 to the United States Social Security Administration on his conviction of theft of public funds, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Chief United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Jared Koeller, 47, on June 17, 2026.

According to information presented to the Court, Koeller was the representative payee for a disabled child, and misused Social Security funds designated for the child after the child was placed in the custody of another person.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Koeller.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within federal benefit programs.