Illinois Man Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Social Security Benefits

Tampa, Florida - Jonathan Frank Barner (55, Illinois) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge John Baldalamenti to 15 months in federal prison for theft of government money. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $107,175, the proceeds of the offense. Barner pleaded guilty on May 18, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, from approximately May 2013 through April 2023, Barner continually accessed his deceased grandmother's bank account to steal Social Security retirement insurance benefits intended for her. Incorrectly believing the grandmother to still be alive, the Social Security Administration continued to make deposits of monthly benefits into her bank account. Rather than reporting her death to the Social Security Administration, Barner continued to withdraw and spend the money on his own expenses until the Social Security Administration stopped making payments and the account was exhausted in April 2023. In total, Barner stole more than $107,000 belonging to the United States.

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro. The forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ("Fraud Division"). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on 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.