Community
Man found guilty of criminal sexual conduct against children in Beltrami County
By Katherine Langford
Live updates: Feeding Our Future fraud scheme 'architect' Salim Said sentencing
Marcus Chen
Marcus Chen
Managing Editor · St. Paul, MN
Marcus manages the day-to-day editorial workflow across all brands, coordinating coverage assignments and ensuring editorial standards are met. He previously served as city editor at the Pioneer Press and holds a degree in Political Science from Carleton College.
More from Marcus →Managing Editor · Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 3:26 PM · 6 min read
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The air in the federal courthouse in St. Paul today is thick with anticipation, a palpable tension reflecting the gravity of the moment. Salim Said, identified by federal prosecutors as the \"undisputed architect\" of the sprawling Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, faces a potential 40-year sentence. His actions have sent shockwaves through communities across Minnesota, raising profound questions about trust, accountability, and the very fabric of programs designed to protect our most vulnerable children.
\n\nThis morning, October 28, 2026, at 10:00 AM CDT, marks a pivotal moment in a saga that has exposed a massive betrayal of public trust. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota is seeking a four-decade prison term for Said, whose central role in orchestrating a scheme that siphoned over $250 million from federal child nutrition programs has left a devastating impact on families and communities.
\n\n\n\nWhat Happened
\nThe Feeding Our Future fraud was an elaborate and audacious scheme that exploited vital federal initiatives, specifically the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), both administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These programs are designed to provide nutritious meals to children from low-income families, particularly during out-of-school hours and summer breaks, ensuring they receive the sustenance critical for healthy development and learning.
\n\nSalim Said, alongside dozens of co-conspirators, allegedly masterminded a complex web of deceit. The fraud involved creating shell companies, establishing fake meal distribution sites, and submitting falsified documents to Feeding Our Future, a non-profit organization that claimed to oversee these meal programs. They fabricated invoices, inflated meal counts, and even invented lists of children who supposedly received meals, all to fraudulently claim millions in federal reimbursements.
\n\nThe scale of the deception was staggering, with more than $250 million diverted from its intended purpose. This money, meant to feed hungry children, was instead allegedly used to fund lavish lifestyles, purchase luxury vehicles, real estate, and other personal expenditures. The sheer audacity of the scheme, as detailed by investigators from the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), underscores a profound disregard for the welfare of others.
\n\nThe Path to Justice
\nThe investigation into Feeding Our Future has been one of the largest fraud cases in Minnesota's history, involving extensive collaboration between federal agencies. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota has diligently pursued justice, leading to numerous indictments, convictions, and plea agreements.
\n\nEarlier this year, in May 2024, a significant milestone was reached when seven defendants were convicted for their roles in the scheme. These individuals included Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, Mohamed Jama Ismail, Mukhtar Mohamed Shariff, Hayat Mohamed Nur, Said Shafii Farah, Qamar Ahmed Hassan, and Sahra Mohamed Nur. Their convictions, handed down by U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel, were a testament to the meticulous work of prosecutors and investigators.
\n\n\n\nBeyond these convictions, 18 other individuals have entered guilty pleas, admitting their involvement in the fraud. Among them is Aimee Bock, the founder of Feeding Our Future, who pleaded guilty in July 2024. Other defendants who have taken plea deals include Anab Awad, Sharmarke Issa, Liban Yasin, Ahmed Mohamed, Abdikadir Ainanshe, Khadar Jigre, Doolow, Guled Hashi, Mekfira Hussein, Hanna Marakegn, Hadith Yusuf Ahmed, Fadumo Mohamed, Hamdi Hussein, Mahad Ibrahim, Abdikarin Ibrahim, Faysal Ali, and Ahmed Yusuf. Their sentencings are scheduled throughout July 2024, marking a cascade of accountability.
\n\nCommunity Impact and Trust
\nThe true victims of this fraud are not just the federal programs, but the countless children and families across Minnesota who legitimately rely on these nutrition initiatives. Every dollar stolen was a meal denied, a moment of security undermined for a child who often has little else. In communities like ours, where strong families and robust community support are cherished, such a betrayal is deeply felt.
\n\nThis scandal has highlighted the critical importance of integrity in non-profit organizations and the solemn responsibility that comes with managing public funds. Organizations like Feeding Our Future are entrusted with a sacred duty to serve, and when that trust is violated, it erodes faith in all charitable efforts. It makes it harder for legitimate, hardworking non-profits to secure funding and support, ultimately harming those they strive to help.
\n\nThe financial cost of the fraud is immense, but the damage to public trust is arguably even greater. Residents of Edina and across Minnesota are keenly aware of how such deceit undermines the collective good. It challenges the very idea that resources meant for the most vulnerable are safeguarded and distributed ethically. The importance of committed individuals and organizations working with transparent stewardship cannot be overstated, especially when supporting the foundational well-being of our children and families.
\n\n\n\nMoving Forward
\nAs Judge Brasel prepares to deliver Salim Said's sentence, the community holds its breath, hoping for a resolution that not only punishes the perpetrators but also sends a clear message: that such egregious acts of fraud will not be tolerated. This sentencing is a crucial step towards accountability and, hopefully, towards restoring faith in the systems designed to protect our children.
\n\nThe Minnesota Department of Education, which oversees these programs at the state level, along with federal partners, must continue to strengthen oversight and implement robust safeguards to prevent future abuses. It is a collective responsibility to ensure that federal funds intended for child nutrition reach their rightful recipients. We must champion transparency and ethical leadership within all organizations that serve our communities, especially those dedicated to the welfare of children.
\n\nUltimately, this case serves as a stark reminder of the vigilance required to protect our community's resources and values. It reinforces the need for strong, ethical foundations in all public and charitable endeavors, ensuring that the promise of a stable, loving household and a healthy start in life remains accessible to every child. Only through unwavering commitment to integrity can we rebuild trust and ensure that programs vital to our families' well-being truly serve their intended purpose.
\n", "imageAlt": "Federal courthouse in St. Paul, Minnesota, symbolizing justice and accountability", "imageAlts": [ "Children smiling while eating healthy meals in a community setting, symbolizing the programs' intent", "Gavel and law books on a judge's bench, representing the ongoing legal proceedings and justice being served", "Community members participating in a food drive, highlighting local efforts to support families and children" ], "imageSearchTerms": [ "Minnesota children eating healthy meals", "Federal courthouse St. Paul", "Community food drive Minnesota" ], "metaDescription": "Salim Said, 'architect' of the $250M Feeding Our Future fraud, faces a 40-year sentence in St. Paul, impacting Minnesota families and public trust.", "externalLinks": [ { "url": "https://www.usda.gov/food-nutrition/community-programs/child-adult-care-food-program", "text": "Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)" }, { "url": "https://www.usda.gov/food-nutrition/community-programs/summer-food-service-program", "text": "Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)" }, { "url": "https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/feeding-our-future-fraud-scheme-092022", "text": "FBI" }, { "url": "https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-ci-investigates-feeding-our-future-fraud-scheme", "text": "IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI)" }, { "url": "https://www.usa.gov/federal-judges", "text": "U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel" }, { "url": "https://www.guidestar.org/Profile/27230495", "text": "Feeding Our Future" }, { "url": "https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/founder-feeding-our-future-pleads-guilty-multi-million-dollar-fraud-scheme", "text": "Aimee Bock, the founder of Feeding Our Future, who pleaded guilty in July 2024" }, { "url": "https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/seven-defendants-convicted-feeding-our-future-fraud-scheme", "text": "seven defendants were convicted for their roles in the scheme" }, { "url": "https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/additional-defendants-plead-guilty-feeding-our-future-fraud-scheme", "text": "18 other individuals have entered guilty pleas" }, { "url": "https://mnUp nextMan found guilty of criminal sexual conduct against children in Beltrami CountyCommunity · 5 min read
