A 19-year-old New York man is behind bars in Broward County today after a Walmart employee helped law enforcement shut down a multi-state EBT fraud scheme.
Thajanhney Tapahrelle Thomas of Brooklyn was arrested by the Davie Police Department and now faces a litany of felony charges that could put him in prison for more than two decades.
The investigation began when a Walmart worker spotted a U-Haul in the store’s parking lot. The vehicle matched a recent law enforcement alert regarding a group using fraudulent Electronic Benefits Transfer cards to buy large quantities of baby formula.
Officers watched as Thomas and an unidentified accomplice entered the store. While the second man gathered various products, Thomas was observed at the self-checkout using two separate EBT cards to purchase containers of formula.
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Police intercepted Thomas as he headed back to the U-Haul. A search revealed he was carrying a New York ID and two New York-issued EBT cards. While the cards had different names printed on them, the remaining account data was identical. Investigators later confirmed the accounts actually belonged to two separate Florida residents.
Attorney General James Uthmeier, whose Public Assistance Fraud Task Force spearheaded the effort, framed the arrest as a warning to out-of-state offenders.
“Any criminals thinking about coming to Florida to commit crimes should think twice,” Uthmeier said. “This is not New York, and we will come at you with the full force of the law.”
Thomas is currently charged with an organized scheme to defraud, criminal misuse of personal information, and the use or possession of skimming devices, among other counts.
Davie Police Chief Stephen Kinsey noted that Thomas is a “prolific criminal” who has allegedly committed fraud across multiple states.
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While Thomas faces up to 21 years in the Florida Department of Corrections if convicted, officials say the case is far from closed.
Special Counsel Scott Strauss characterized the arrest as “the tip of the iceberg,” noting that the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are likely.
The unidentified accomplice remains at large.
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