Ricky Wade Perry, 46, of Vancleave, Mississippi, is going to federal prison for stealing $105,702.90 from the Social Security system through a multi-year disability fraud scheme. The hard-luck story he sold to authorities was a lie — while claiming he couldn’t work, Perry was out driving trucks and earning income, all while cashing government checks meant for the truly disabled.
On the docket in Gulfport, Chief U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. handed down a five-month prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release. Perry must also repay every dollar he stole — $105,702.90 — restitution ordered directly to the Social Security Administration. The judgment comes after a federal conviction for theft of government funds, a crime that erodes public trust and drains taxpayer resources.
From July 2009 to March 2015, Perry claimed he was medically unable to return to work due to a disabling condition. He filed paperwork, collected benefits, and kept the ruse alive for nearly six years. But investigators uncovered evidence that during that same stretch, he was actively working in the trucking industry, performing substantial labor that directly contradicted his claims of physical incapacity.
He never reported the income. He never corrected his status. Instead, Perry let the checks roll in, exploiting a system designed to protect vulnerable Americans. His deception triggered an overpayment of $105,702.90 in Social Security Disability Insurance benefits — funds that should have gone to those genuinely unable to earn a living.
The Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General led the investigation, digging through employment records, driver logs, and financial trails to expose Perry’s double life. Their work ensured that a man who played the system didn’t slip through the cracks. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones, who pushed for accountability in the courtroom.
This conviction sends a clear message: fraud against federal benefit programs will be pursued and punished. For Perry, the cost of greed is prison time, years under federal supervision, and a six-figure debt. The Grimy Times will keep tracking cases like this — where justice, eventually, catches up.
Related Federal Cases
- Mississippi Entrepreneur Indicted for $1.2M Bank Fraud Scheme · Mississippi
- Thi Houng Le, Gregory Warren Sentenced in BP Oil Spill Fraud · Mississippi
- Larry and Annie Jenkins Plead Guilty to Medicare Fraud · Mississippi
- Seven Plead Guilty in $Millions Online Fraud Ring · Mississippi
- Online Scam Kingpin Sentenced: Mississippi Fraud Ring Busted · Mississippi
Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
