Gilmer Man Guilty of Social Security Fraud

TEXARKANA – A 44-year-old Gilmer man has pleaded guilty to social security fraud. Michael Wayne Jobe pleaded guilty Monday in Texarkana to theft of government property before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline M. Craven.

According to information presented in court, in 2006 and 2007 and resuming in 2009 until 2011, Jobe applied for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits on behalf of both of his children who lived with him at the time. During the first time period, both of Jobe’s children were removed by CPS. During the second time period, both children moved out of his home and began living with other family and friends. However, Jobe continued to receive Social Security Benefit payments on behalf of those children, and Jobe falsely reported to the Social Security Administration that the children were still living with him during those reporting periods. This resulted in an overpayment of Social Security Administration benefits in an amount in excess of $1,000.

Jobe was indicted by a federal grand jury on Sep. 15, 2011. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.