The owners of a Wichita grocery store will learn their punishment this week for their role in a food stamp scam thwarted by federal authorities during a months-long investigation.

Muhammad Qadeer Akram and his wife, Shama Qadeer, who own of Alnoor Grocery and Biryani House in Wichita, face sentencing Wednesday in federal court. They were accused of trading cash for customers’ food stamps at a profit.

The couple pleaded guilty in September to one count each of conspiracy to commit food stamp fraud, food stamp fraud and wire fraud. They agreed to forfeit $262,900.

Thirteen people were charged in two federal indictments alleging schemes that defrauded the government out of more than $580,000.
All but one pleaded guilty to various charges. A food stamp recipient was acquitted by a jury.