Ayad Al-Shaibani, Food Stamp Benefits Fraud, Indiana 2015

FORT WAYNE – Ayad Al-Shaibani, 44, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced to 3 years’ probation with 6 months’ home detention and ordered to pay $1,714,207.10 for food stamp benefits fraud. On October 6, 2015, the court handed down the sentence to Al-Shaibani, who pleaded guilty to the charges.

The charges stem from an investigation by the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, which found that Al-Shaibani had knowingly acquired and possessed United States Department of Agriculture food stamp benefits from an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card for a transaction in excess of $100 in a manner not authorized by the Food Stamp Program. Between 2008 and 2013, Al-Shaibani allegedly used his store, the Calhoun Market, S. Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana, to traffic food stamp benefits.

According to documents filed in the case, Al-Shaibani did knowingly acquire and possess United States Department of Agriculture food stamp benefits from an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card for a transaction in excess of $100 in a manner not authorized by the Food Stamp Program. This included swiping and accepting an EBT card for $128.00 from a customer for the purchase of some eligible food items (4 Energy Drink cans).

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was created to provide food and nutrition to those who truly need this assistance. Those who are involved in fraud and abuse of SNAP and other USDA programs will be aggressively pursued by our office, said U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony V. Mohatt. Our joint effort in this investigation helps bring to justice individuals who sought to profit from the SNAP program through illegal schemes.

The USDA Office of Inspector General will continue to dedicate resources and work with our local law enforcement partners in order to protect the integrity of this and other USDA programs and to pursue prosecution of those who commit fraud.

In his plea agreement, Al-Shaibani agreed to repay restitution to the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service and to forfeiture of a personal money judgment in the amount of $1,714,207.10. This sum represented the count of conviction and all relevant conduct between 2008 and 2013 for food stamp trafficking at his store.

The investigation was conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, Investigations and was assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tina Nommay.

Related Federal Cases