TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- A former Camden, New Jersey, firefighter accused of collecting a state disability pension while working as a martial arts instructor and participating in competitive mixed martial arts has been convicted of theft by deception.
State authorities say 41-year-old Shane Streater faces up to 10 years in prison when he's sentenced next month. The verdict was rendered Tuesday by a Camden County jury following a weeklong trial
Streater applied for an accidental disability pension in 2009, saying he was disabled due to two on-duty accidents. In each incident he claimed to have injured his back and/or neck.
The Police and Firemen's Retirement System Board awarded Streater an ordinary disability pension in January 2010. Streater appealed that ruling, insisting his disability was work-related.
Authorities say Streater collected more than $82,000.
