Three indicted on food stamp fraud, wire fraud charges

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- -Sajjad S. Chaudhry, 46; Saima Sajjad, 38; and Brian D. Parker, 47, are charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to commit food stamp fraud, food stamp fraud counts and wire fraud counts. Chaudhry also is charged with aggravated identity theft counts.

The crimes are alleged to have occurred from May 2011 to March 2014 at the KC Gas Mart, 2859 State Avenue, Kansas City, Kan. Chaudhry and his wife, Saima Sajjad, operated and managed the store.

The indictment alleges the defendants took part in fraudulent transactions in which employees of the store gave food stamp recipients cash instead of authorized food items at a rate of about 50 cents on the dollar.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:

• Conspiracy: A maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000.

• Food stamp fraud: A maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000.

• Wire fraud: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.

• Aggravated identity theft: A mandatory two years consecutive to other imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Tomasic is prosecuting.