Thursday, February 9, 2012

The owner of a Kansas grocery store is pleading with a federal judge to spare him from prison for his role in a scheme that targeted people willing to sell their food stamps for cash.

Ahmed Ajami Al-Maleki asked the judge in a letter for mercy so he can return to his family and live an honest life.

His letter was part of a filing Wednesday by his attorney, Kurt Kerns, who is seeking a probationary sentence below the federal sentencing guidelines. Kerns said his client was a conduit for the food stamp scheme rather than a leader of the conspiracy.

Prosecutors on Thursday sought a continuance for next week's scheduled sentencing so they could prepare a response.

Al-Maleki pleaded guilty to conspiracy, wire fraud and food stamp fraud.