Elmo resident pleads not guilty to Social Security fraud

Gerry Alen Albus, 64, of Elmo, appeared March 28 in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleaded not guilty to charges of theft of government money and Social Security fraud.

If convicted of the most serious crime, Albus faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Albus was released pending further proceedings.

The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.

The charging documents are accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.