Tacoma grocer charged with pocketing $600,000 in federal food aid extradited from India after fleeing charges

A Tacoma grocery store owner accused of pocketing at least $600,000 in federal food assistance benefits which landed him on the Most Wanted list, has been returned to Washington after allegedly fleeing to India within a week of pleading not guilty.

Manjit Bedi, 64, of Kent, is scheduled to appear in US District Court in Tacoma on Friday. Federal prosecutors said he arrived in Western Washington Wednesday night after Indian authorities took him into custody and turned him over to federal agents.

Bedi pleaded not guilty on April 22 to wire fraud and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit fraud charges. According to the US Attorney’s Office, he left the country within a week and fled to his native India.

On September 3, the FBI added Bedi to its “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list and distributed his photograph and case information internationally. Authorities in India subsequently arrested him.

Acting US Attorney Charles Neil Floyd said prosecutors will seek to keep Bedi behind bars while he awaits trial. “We will ask the court to detain him pending trial as he has demonstrated he has the will and the means to flee,” Floyd said. “Those who take advantage of America’s generosity must be held accountable.”

The underlying case centers on allegations that Bedi used his small Tacoma grocery store to exchange food benefits for cash while keeping half the value of each transaction.

According to prosecutors, the store received authorization to accept SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps, in February 2024. The alleged scheme began the following month. Rather than selling eligible groceries, Bedi allegedly charged recipients’ electronic benefits transfer cards and paid them 50 cents for every dollar deducted. In one example described by prosecutors, a $200 charge would produce a $100 cash payment to the recipient, with Bedi keeping the remaining $100.

The indictment alleges that between March 2024 and June 2025, Bedi pocketed at least $600,000 in SNAP benefits for food that was never sold.

The US Attorney’s Office previously announced the indictment when Bedi appeared in court in April.

FBI Director Kash Patel said Bedi is the sixth person captured since the bureau launched its Most Wanted Fraudsters list three months ago.

W. Mike Herrington, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office, credited investigators, international law enforcement partners and public tips with helping secure Bedi’s return. “No matter how far someone may flee and no matter how long it may take, the FBI is committed to pursuing those who attempt to outrun the consequences of their criminal actions, even when they seek to evade the justice system by hiding overseas,” Herrington said.

Bedi has pleaded not guilty. According to the US Attorney’s Office, the offenses carry potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.