A Newport News resident, Alonzo Darren McClary, 62, has pleaded guilty to theft of government property. According to court documents, McClary was granted power of attorney for his elderly neighbor starting July 5, 2018. This allowed him to manage the neighbor’s affairs if the neighbor became incapacitated or died.
McClary withdrew funds from his neighbor’s bank account at times to help as needed. After the neighbor passed away on February 20, 2020, Social Security payments continued to be deposited into the account. Rather than notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) about his neighbor’s death, McClary kept withdrawing money from the account. Authorities say he caused an overpayment of $62,957.92 and used those funds for himself.
McClary is set for sentencing on May 19 and could face up to ten years in prison. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors.
The case was investigated by the SSA Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mack Coleman.
Information related to this case can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and through PACER by searching Case No. 4:25-cr-81.
