A Mission grocery store is expected to face a federal judge after being indicted in a WIC and food stamp fraud scheme.
Federal agents arrested 45-year-old Fernando Ramirez Estrada back in February.
The Mary's Mart owner is now facing a two-count federal indictment.
Estrada is accused of paying his customers cash for their Women's Infant & Children's (WIC) benefits and food stamp (SNAP) benefits.
The grocery store owner allegedly turned around and charged WIC and SNAP for food purchases that never existed.
A dollar amount for the fraudulent charges was not available but according to a federal indictment, the scheme ran from October 2004 to February 2011.
Mary's Mart lost the rights to use food stamps in January 2012 and lost the rights to use WIC in February 2012. The store has since closed.
Estrada has been out on a $30,000 dollar bond since his arrest but is expected to be arraigned for the indictment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dorina Ramos in McAllen on March 28th.
If convicted, Estrada could receive up to five years in federal prison and up to a $25,000 fine for each count.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT