Man Sentenced To Two Years For Stealing Benefits

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — A Southeast Texas man has been sentenced to two years in prison for stealing benefits meant for a woman who's been dead since 2003.  

John Stephen Davis was sentenced Wednesday. The 64-year-old Galveston man in June pleaded guilty to embezzlement and theft of federal government benefits.

A federal judge also ordered Davis to forfeit the money he illegally received from her Social Security and other benefit programs — nearly $374,000.

Davis in March 2003 obtained power of attorney for the woman and had access to her bank account. She died the following month but he never notified authorities of her death.

Further details on the woman weren't immediately released.