Ex-Bristol Woman Gets Probation For Stealing $42K In Federal Benefits For Disabled Child

BRISTOL, RI — A former Bristol woman was sentenced to three years of probation Monday after federal prosecutors said she fraudulently collected more than $42,000 in Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits earmarked for a disabled child who was no longer in care.

Sonia Pimentel, 44, of Norwich, Connecticut, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence on Dec. 1, 2022, to theft of public funds.

Pimentel admitted that, from December 2011 through October 2016, she continued receiving monthly SSI payments totaling $42,346.73. Pimentel admitted she used the money for her own personal use.

The money was supposed to be for the care of a disabled child, but Pimentel no longer had custody of that child. The child's father had custody of the child during that time.

In addition to the federal probation, Pimentel was also ordered to pay back the money she fraudulently collected from the Social Security Administration.