A Farrell woman convicted of cashing her grandfather's Social Security checks for years after he died, has been sentenced to 5 years' probation.

"For the first six months of that probation, she will be confined to her home," said U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan.

Cynthia Smith, 43, of 1113 Hamilton Ave., also was ordered Friday by U.S. District Court Judge Donetta W. Ambrose, Pittsburgh, to pay back the $69,789 she stole, Ms. Buchanan said.

A probation officer will determine if Ms. Smith will wear an electronic monitor for those six months, Ms. Buchanan said. In either case, Ms. Smith will be visited regularly by a probation officer.

Ms. Smith will be allowed to leave home only for reasons approved by the probation department, such as work, church and medical appointments.

"The conditions are very strict," Ms. Buchanan said.

The detention will start immediately, she said.

Ms. Smith was indicted July 24 on four counts of converting Social Security benefits to her own use and two counts of theft of governmental property.

She pleaded guilty Jan. 11 to one count of converting benefits to her own use.

Ms. Smith was the representative payee for her grandfather, permitting her to receive the checks, which were made out to her, and to handle his benefits, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

After Smith's death in 1991, she cashed 97 checks without authority, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

The last count in the indictment was dated Jan. 3, 2000.

Ms. Smith had been free on her own recognizance as the case proceeded through the court system.

Tammy Schaefer of the Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.