BOSTON — A Belchertown man was convicted Thursday by a jury in U.S. District Court of fraudulently receiving Social Security disability benefits, the Massachusetts U.S. attorney’s office reported.

Kenneth Pontz, 59, was convicted following a three-day jury trial of one count of theft of public funds. Over a period of more than six years, Pontz stole approximately $49,929 in Social Security disability benefits, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.

Pontz was arrested and charged in June 2022. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 4, 2024.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg and Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil L. Desroches of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

]]>