Couple sentenced for embezzling $66,000 from mentally disabled man and woman

ST. LOUIS – A Macon County couple was sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty to taking government benefits checks from a mentally disabled man and woman in their care.

On Thursday, 70-year-old Donald Hicks was sentenced to eight months in prison. His 53-year-old wife, Mary Hicks, was sentenced to six months of home confinement.

They were charged with stealing more than $66,000 of Social Security Disability benefits from a couple in their care. The Hickses were ordered to make restitution.

U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway said the disabled couple depended on the Hickses for basic survival. She said the Hickses embezzled the benefits checks and allowed the disabled couple to live in deplorable conditions. They even were forced to get their food from trash containers.