Russell sentenced for Social Security fraud

The Daily Inter Lake

Terry Ray Russell, 39, of Kalispell, was sentenced in federal court Thursday for five counts of Social Security fraud.

He was placed on probation for five years and will be on supervised release for five years.

According to court documents, in December 2001 Russell filed an application for a Social Security card, using the name Walter Coate with a number assigned to someone named Walter Coate.

In June 2002, Russell applied for disability benefits, claiming to be Walter Coate. In August 2002, he submitted a request for reconsideration, again presenting himself as Coate.

In September 2002, Russell filed a reconsideration disability report as Coate.

In April 2002, he also asked for benefits in Coate's name.

Chief U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy sentenced Russell after an investigation by the FBI and the Inspector General's Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kris McLean prosecuted the case.