A Minnesota man was sentenced to federal prison for his part in a massive scheme that siphoned COVID-era child nutrition dollars, and his punishment also reflects an effort to corrupt the court process.
Abdinasir Mahamed Abshir, 34, of Lakeville, Minnesota, drew a 78-month federal prison term for participating in a $250 million fraud that targeted the Federal Child Nutrition Program during the COVID-19 pandemic. The case marks the 23rd defendant to receive a sentence tied to the broader Feeding Our Future fraud, a network that charged more than 70 people in total. Authorities say the scheme stole funds meant to feed children during a period of heightened need.
The sentence also accounts for Abshir’s conduct in trying to interfere with a cooperating witness on February 18, 2025. Federal prosecutors say Abshir approached that witness before the person was scheduled to testify in United States v. Aimee Bock and Salim Said, an effort that amounted to obstructing justice. That conduct elevated the legal consequences beyond the original fraud charges.
Abshir pleaded guilty on March 7, 2025, and was sentenced on August 18, 2026 before U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel. The court handed down 78 months in prison, reflecting both the scale of the fraud and the seriousness of witness tampering. Officials framed the sentence as a reaffirmation that money cannot buy immunity from prosecution.
“Today’s sentence makes clear that justice is not for sale, and those who try to buy their way out of accountability will not succeed. Our office is committed to protecting American taxpayer funds,” said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. That statement underlines the government’s position that prosecuting financial schemes against public programs remains a priority. Prosecutors emphasized both deterrence and restitution as goals.
FBI Minneapolis Field Office leadership highlighted the broader threat posed by witness tampering and fraud on public confidence. “The sentence imposed on Abdinasir Abshir reflects accountability not only for his role in a massive fraud scheme, but also for his deliberate attempt to undermine the integrity of the judicial process,” said FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson. “Witness tampering is an attack on the foundation of our justice system because it seeks to obstruct the truth and interfere with the fair administration of justice. Today’s sentence makes clear that such conduct carries serious consequences. The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to protecting witnesses, safeguarding the integrity of our courts, and ensuring that those who commit fraud are held fully accountable.”
Investigators traced the conspiracy to coordinated efforts that misused government nutrition support during a national emergency. Law enforcement described schemes that submitted inflated or false claims and routed proceeds through shell companies and intermediaries. The scope and speed of arrests and indictments reflected a multi-agency investigation across states.
“Abshir and his co-conspirators stole from a program meant to feed children while families were struggling, then tried to use money to corrupt the justice system,” said Adam Jobes, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Chicago Field Office. “Justice isn’t for sale, and IRS Criminal Investigation will hold accountable those who think their money puts them beyond its reach.” That statement links the fraud back to the harm done to vulnerable communities.
The inquiry was led by the FBI with assistance from IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, reflecting cross-agency cooperation. Officials credited coordinated financial and mail fraud probes for dismantling parts of the network. Prosecutors also pointed to investigative partners for developing the evidence used at trial and in plea negotiations.
Inspectors from the Postal Service noted the role of the U.S. mail in facilitating fraudulent transactions and communications tied to the scheme. “Mr. Abshir’s guilty plea reflects the outstanding investigative teamwork by the Postal Inspection Service and our federal law enforcement partners,” said Inspector in Charge of the Denver Division Bryan Musgrove. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to holding white-collar criminals accountable for abusing the U.S. mail to facilitate fraudulent schemes.” That emphasis shows how postal enforcement fits into financial crime work.
More than 70 individuals have faced charges in the broader Feeding Our Future investigation, and a growing number of convictions and sentences are now on the record. The steady stream of prosecutions suggests prosecutors will continue to pursue those who exploited relief programs. Courts are treating efforts to obstruct justice as aggravating factors when sentencing defendants.
Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca E. Kline and Matthew C. Murphy handled the prosecution of Abshir’s case in federal court. Their work followed evidence gathered through search warrants, financial tracing, and witness cooperation developed during the multi-year probe. Officials say those investigative steps remain central to holding organizers and facilitators accountable.
The case underscores how pandemic-era relief programs became targets for fraud and how law enforcement is responding to abuses of public funds. Sentences like Abshir’s combine punishment for theft with penalties for attempts to corrupt the judicial process. The enforcement message from federal agencies has been consistent: misuse of taxpayer-funded programs and interference with witnesses will be met with serious consequences.
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