Omar Alaidrus, a 24-year-old resident of Schenectady, New York, received a 12-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to charges related to drug distribution and food stamp fraud. The sentencing was announced by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman alongside Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker of the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of the Inspector General Northeast Region (USDA-OIG), Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James.
Alaidrus confessed to exchanging fentanyl for food stamps at a deli owned by his family in Schenectady. He also admitted to providing cash for food stamps and using them to purchase prohibited items like Xanax, alcohol, and tobacco. Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn ordered Alaidrus to pay $316,975 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Food and Nutrition Service and imposed a three-year term of supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by USDA-OIG, HSI, New York State Police, along with the Schenectady Sheriff and Police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner prosecuted the case.
