HOUSTON -- A Houston-area attorney who stole tens of thousands of dollars from his deceased father's Social Security account is headed to prison, KPRC Local 2 reported Thursday.

Carlos Correa was accused of cashing his father's Social Security checks for 12 years after his father died. Investigators said he took more than $100,000.

Jurors found him guilty of one charge of theft. It took the panel 20 minutes to reach the verdict.

Correa then pleaded guilty to aggravated perjury.

"I felt fairly strongly about our evidence. It was a fairly simple case. It was not complicated," Assistant District Attorney Beth Shipley said.

Correa's father died in 1996, but no one told the Social Security Administration.

Investigators said Correa collected nearly $180,000.

Correa's attorney said that should not have happened.

"I think that the theft was a mistake. He's been taking care of his elderly mother for years. She has a lot of medical problems. And in my opinion, he crossed the line he should not have crossed," defense attorney Gilbert Villarreal said.

"They're obligated to notify the Social Security Administration. It doesn't matter who you are or where you are or what you're doing. If you're getting money that you know you're not entitled to, it's stealing and you need to let the SSA know so that they can cut off those benefits," Shipley said.

As for the perjury charge, prosecutors said Correa knew a witness for one of his clients in a murder case was lying, but did not tell the court.

The state bar has suspended him twice. Once he is released from prison, Correa will not be able to practice law again.

"That will be the hardest part of this agreement," Villarreal said.

Correa asked the judge to decide his punishment. For now, he cannot leave town, must wear a leg monitor and check in with the court.

Sentencing will take place in about two weeks. He is expected to spend at least 12 years in prison.

Correa's defense attorney said his client could have faced up to 30 years in prison.

Prosecutors and the defense attorney agreed that the case had no effect on other cases or the clients who Correa represented.