PITTSBURGH—A Washington County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Watson L. Maloy, Jr., 74, of Finleyville, Pa. pleaded guilty to one count before Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from in and around January 2012 and continuing thereafter to in and around February 2014, Maloy, Jr. and persons and entities known and unknown to the United States Attorney, conspired to defraud the United States.

Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for March 6, 2015, at 3:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorneys Robert S. Cessar and Jonathan B. Ortiz are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Department of Transportation, Officer of Inspector General and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Watson L. Maloy, Jr.