MINNEAPOLIS (SD) -A federal grand jury in Minneapolis has convicted five individuals accused of embezzling millions of dollars from programs aimed at providing food to children affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Two other individuals who were indicted were found not guilty.

The crackdown, which marks the first wave of charges, unfolded over six weeks.

Six men and women from Minnesota have been accused of multiple offenses, including fraud, embezzlement, and other charges. Ultimately, four of them have been charged. Some of the charges could lead to sentences of up to 20 years in prison.

They are accused of misappropriating more than $40 million from government programs intended to feed hungry children, through a nonprofit called Feeding Our Future, based in the outskirts of Minneapolis.

The five charged individuals were among 70 who stole a combined total of $250 million from federal food-aid programs in Minnesota.

Prosecutors allege that those claiming to feed children profited during the pandemic as the government halted visits to monitoring sites.