Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 33-year-old Farquan Aljabbouri of Buffalo pleaded guilty yesterday morning before Acting Erie County Court Judge Debra Givens to one count of Misuse of Food Stamps, Food Stamp Program Coupons, Authorization Cards and Electronic Access Devices (Class “E” Felony under New York Social Services Law).

Between September 26, 2020 and April 13, 2022, the defendant, while working as a cashier at a convenience store, fraudulently obtained Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards from customers in exchange for cash. An investigation found that the defendant fraudulently used the EBT cards to purchase items for the store located on South Park Avenue near Good Avenue in the City of Buffalo.

Aljabbouri faces a maximum of 4 years in prison when he is sentenced on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. He remains released on his own recognizance as the charge is a non-qualifying offense for bail.   

“This defendant paid people to use their food stamp cards for his own benefit. I encourage anyone who has information regarding the misuse of public assistance funds to contact my office,” said Erie County DA John Flynn.

DA Flynn commends the Food and Nutrition Service, Special Investigation Unit of the United States Department of Agriculture and the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Norvella C. Pendergrass of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Unit.