A social media influencer who goes by “Shawty Dred” has been indicted on federal charges accusing him of obtaining more than $4 million in SNAP benefits through hundreds of fake accounts. Prosecutors say Mercedes Reshard New controlled over 350 SNAP accounts created with stolen identities between January 2020 and July 2026, with EBT cards mailed to addresses across metro Atlanta.
According to the indictment, New registered Shawty Dred LLC as an authorized SNAP retailer and used a point-of-sale device to take more than $660,000 in benefits between April 2024 and November 2025. The USDA revoked his store authorization last November, and police arrested him about two weeks later after officers seized 14 EBT cards issued to other people. A grand jury indicted him on 46 counts of mail fraud, 15 counts of aggravated identity theft, and SNAP fraud charges. He was arrested October 13 and remains in U.S. Marshals custody.
The case hits home for Suncoast families who rely on SNAP to keep food on the table, especially with grocery prices where they are. Federal officials say the money allegedly taken was meant for families who need help feeding their kids. Have you ever had trouble with benefits fraud or identity theft? Let us know on our Facebook page.
