A 19-year-old New York man was arrested in Broward County today after a Walmart employee helped law enforcement in stopping a multi-state EBT fraud operation.
Thajanhney Tapahrelle Thomas of Brooklyn was arrested by the Davie Police Department and is now facing a slew of felony charges that may land him in prison for more than 20 years.
The investigation began when a Walmart employee noticed a U-Haul in the store’s parking lot. The vehicle matched a recent law enforcement tip about a group that used bogus Electronic Benefits Transfer cards to purchase significant amounts of infant formula.
Officers witnessed Thomas and his unidentified accomplice enter the business. While the second man gathered various things, Thomas was caught at the self-checkout purchasing formula containers with two separate EBT cards.
Police stopped Thomas as he returned to the U-Haul. A search found that he was carrying a New York ID and two New York-issued EBT cards. While the cards had different names printed on them, the rest of the account information was identical. Investigators eventually determined that the accounts belonged to two different Florida people.
Attorney General James Uthmeier, whose Public Assistance Fraud Task Force led the investigation, presented the arrest as a warning to out-of-state offenders.
“Any criminals thinking about coming to Florida to commit crimes should think twice,” Uthmeier stated. “This is not New York, and we will come at you with the full force of the law.”
Thomas is currently facing charges of an organized plot to defraud, unlawful exploitation of personal information, and use or possession of skimming devices, among others.
Davie Police Chief Stephen Kinsey described Thomas as a “prolific criminal” who has reportedly perpetrated fraud in several states.
While Thomas faces up to 21 years in the Florida Department of Corrections if convicted, officials warn the investigation is far from over.
Special Counsel Scott Strauss described the arrest as “the tip of the iceberg,” emphasizing that the investigation is still underway and additional charges are anticipated.
The unidentified accomplice remains at large.
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