BENTON — A 68-year-old Marion man pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to charges he engaged in a scheme to steal from a health care program.

Terry L. Stinnett admitted that he had submitted false and fraudulent claims in relation to his alleged performance of personal assistant services in the Home Services Program, a Medicaid Waiver Program designed to allow individuals to stay in their homes instead of entering a nursing home.

Stinnett admitted to falsely billing the program between July 1, 2013 and January 31, 2014, when he allegedly rendered personal assistant services to a customer when, in fact, he had not been caring for the customer.

Sentencing for Stinnett has been set for March 15, 2016. He could face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, the Illinois State Police – Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William E. Coonan.