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Police say those indicted were accepting food stamp benefits in exchange for cash, which is a violation because these benefits are only to be used for eligible food products. A federal grand jury indicted the 12 Tuesday.

Only eight were actually arrested and charged Tuesday with defrauding the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. They include:

• Muteea Alfahdd, 41


• Najeeb Abdullah, 44


• Hamoud Yafal, 60


• Ali Hamoud Yafal, 21


• Yaser Saet, 27


• Bakri Ali Samet, 33


• Setha Samnang, 42


• Rina Samnang, 36

Authorities say they are trying to track down the other four people including Nageeb Alghaheim, 24; Mohamed Alshuja, 30; Hassan Mohamed Nagi Alshegaa, 23; Ali Mulhi Abdullah, 36 who may or may not be living in the country.

Everyone arrested was either a store owner or store employees at the six Utica convenience stores listed here:

• Sure Save Market, 1400 Kemble Street, Utica


• Manhattan Plaza #2, 1321 Oneida Street, Utica


• C&M Deli, 1029 West Street, Utica


• William Street Food Corp., 627 William Street, Utica


• 1038 Food Corp., 1038 Court Street, Utica


• Phnom Penh Market, 1633 Oneida Street, Utica

"Those arrested today are some of the worst profiteers that we encounter, preying on government program that ensures a very basic need is met. Adequate food for those persons who cannot provide for themselves," said USDA Special Agent-in-Charge Brian Haaser.

These charges carry a maximum sentence of imprisonment of five years and a fine of not more than $20,000.