Indiana County Man Indicted for Theft of Social Security Benefits

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

A resident of Indiana, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of theft of government property, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

The two-count Indictment named Curtis John Shupe, 61, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, from in and around September 2021 until in and around July 2025, Shupe stole and knowingly converted to his personal use more than $1,000 in Social Security benefits belonging to someone else. Shupe did so through his role as representative payee for the benefits.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Barbara K. Doolittle is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.