No Hiding In Mogadishu: Feds Track Down And Arrest $5M Minnesota Kid-Meal Scam Fugitive

A Minnesota man who fled the country to avoid charges in the massive Feeding Our Future fraud case is finally in custody after being tracked down in Africa. Federal authorities announced that 42-year-old Abdikerm Abdelahi Eidleh of Burnsville, Minnesota, was arrested on June 25, 2026, in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Eidleh was one of the original defendants named in a September 13, 2022, federal indictment detailing a sprawling scheme to steal money meant for hungry children. He faces a 31-count indictment that includes conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, federal programs bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering.

According to court records, Eidleh worked for Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit tasked with managing federal funds for child nutrition. His job was to recruit and oversee food sites under the Federal Child Nutrition Program.

Instead, prosecutors say Eidleh and other employees ran a “pay-to-play” racket, demanding bribes and kickbacks from people who wanted to open fake meal locations. The illicit payments were allegedly funneled through shell companies and disguised as “consulting fees.”

Federal investigators say Eidleh didn’t just take bribes; he also ran his own fake food operations. The indictment alleges he put these sites under the names of nominee owners and lied to the government, claiming the locations were serving thousands of meals every day to needy children.

He then created fake invoices from shell companies posing as food vendors to collect the government payouts. In total, prosecutors say Eidleh moved more than $5 million in stolen taxpayer money, bribes, and kickbacks into bank accounts tied to his shell companies to hide where the money came from.

“This defendant was a central figure in one of the largest fraud schemes in Minnesota history,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “He not only stole taxpayer dollars, but he also robbed vulnerable children of critical resources they desperately needed. Rather than answer for his crimes in the United States, he fled to Somalia in a futile attempt to evade justice. That attempt ended thanks to the exceptional work of our FBI partners. The Department of Justice will continue to track down and prosecute fraudsters wherever they run and wherever they hide.”

U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen emphasized that international borders would not protect people who steal public funds. “Eidleh’s capture shows that, if you commit fraud against the American taxpayer, and try hiding across the globe, the long arm of justice will find you,” Rosen said. “We salute the FBI’s work in finding Eidleh, and are grateful to all our federal and international partners that help us hold accountable those who defraud our government.”

The operation required significant coordination between U.S. law enforcement and authorities in East Africa. Christopher D. Dotson, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office, warned other fugitives that the bureau’s network is extensive.

“With the apprehension of Abdikerm Eidleh, the FBI’s partnerships with law enforcement worldwide again send a message – the FBI’s reach is far and wide, we will track down and bring to justice any fugitive, from anywhere,” Dotson said. “According to the indictment, Eidleh’s alleged fraud took millions of dollars from programs designed for children and families in need. When the alleged fraud was uncovered, he unwisely tried to hide from justice on the other side of the world. The FBI and our partners will shine a light on fraudsters wherever they may try to hide. The FBI extends its sincere appreciation to the National Intelligence and Security Agency of Somalia for their outstanding partnership in locating and apprehending Eidleh so he may be brought to justice.”

Bryan Musgrove, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Denver Division, reiterated the government’s stance on financial exploitation. “Every dollar stolen from the pockets of hardworking Americans emphasizes the Postal Inspection Service’s commitment to protecting our communities,” Musgrove said. “This arrest shows that criminals who abuse the financial system and exploit innocent people for their own gain will not escape their day in court. They are not above the law. Postal inspectors continue to be relentless in their pursuit of justice.”

The case is the result of a massive joint investigation involving the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca E. Kline, Matthew C. Murphy, and Austin Bowyer are handling the prosecution.