Meat Market Owner Charged With Defrauding Assistance Program

PHILADELPHIA - Saud Saleh, 30, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by indictment, unsealed today, with wire fraud against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the federal Food Stamp program, and associated charges, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.  The defendant owned and operated Twinz Meat Market, located at 3083 Kensington Avenue in Philadelphia, PA.

According to the indictment, Saleh engaged in the illegal trafficking in of SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) by purchasing those benefits from customers of Twinz Meat Market in exchange for cash.  The indictment charges that from approximately July 2010 through approximately December 2012, as a result of his trafficking activities, Saud Saleh sought and received from USDA redemption of approximately $1.125 million in SNAP benefits.

If convicted, Saleh faces a substantial period of incarceration in addition to an additional three years of supervised release, a fine of approximately $1.8 million and restitution.

The case was investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Floyd J. Miller.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.