A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on Wednesday indicted a Connoquenessing woman for alleged theft of Social Security benefits, according to United States Attorney Scott Brady.

Count one of the two-count indictment alleges that Pattie Lou Smith, 56, of Connoquenessing, between Dec. 30, 2013, and Feb. 28, 2017, knowingly received Supplemental Security Income benefits of more than $1,000 to which she knew she was not entitled, Brady said.

Count two alleges that, during the same time, Smith concealed and failed to disclose her husband’s continued presence in her household to the Social Security Administration with the intent to fraudulently secure SSI benefits, Brady said. Her husband’s presence affected her right to receive SSI benefit, according to the indictment.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the federal sentencing guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hallowell is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the indictment.