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PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of government property, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Nicholas T. Grimes, 30, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan on June 17, 2025.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, following the death of a
Title II Social Security benefits recipient, Grimes began stealing that person’s Social Security retirement benefits, beginning as early as 2014. Grimes stole benefits totaling approximately $216,779 by negotiating the benefits from the deceased’s account through ATM transactions.
Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencing for September 29, 2025. The law provides for a 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 is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Social Security Administration—Office of the Inspector General conducted the
investigation that led to the prosecution of Grimes.