Federal officials are investigating a Georgia man with a viral social media following.
The U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia announced on Wednesday that Mercedes Reshard New (known online as "Shawty Dred") was arrested on charges of fraudulently obtaining over $4 million in SNAP benefits.
What is SNAP fraud?
SNAP fraud is the intentional misuse of benefits by recipients, retailers, or scammers. As Georgia DFCS describes, not only is it illegal, it diverts funds from those who need food stamps and ends up costing taxpayers more.
According to the Attorney's Office press release, from 2020 to 2026, New allegedly controlled over 350 fraudulent SNAP accounts using stolen ID's. He allegedly caused SNAP EBT cards to be mailed to various metro Atlanta spots
and applied for his limited liability company, Shawty Dred LLC, to become an authorized SNAP retailer. Between 2024 and 2025, he allegedly used fraudulently obtained cards and a point-of-sale device to steal more than $660,000 in benefits.
In November, USDA revoked New's store authorization. About two weeks later, police arrested him for allegedly selling SNAP benefits at a metro Atlanta store. Officers seized 14 EBT cards issued to other people.
Over the course of the scheme, New allegedly duped DFCS into transferring about $4.6 million in benefits, and siphoned about $4 million from the accounts.
How many followers does Shawty Dread have?
New has 2 million followers on Instagram and more than 62,000 followers on X. For those who try to look for his accounts, while they are still up and running, his content explicit contains adult language and actual sexual activity.
Authorities detailed how New would boast an affluent lifestyle across his posts. The top of both of his pages says "I have more Rolls Royce's than your favorite rapper" and the picture pinned to the top of his X account shows him next to Giorgio Armani with the caption "He was a close friend of mine that helped me become the Billionaire that I am today."
Shawty Dread charges
A grand jury indicted New on 46 counts of mail fraud, 15 counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count each of SNAP fraud and illegal transactions with access devices. The case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Georgia Department of Human Services, Office of Inspector General.
Assistant United States Attorney Tracia M. King is prosecuting the case.
Vice President JD Vance highlighted the case during a press conference with his office's fraud task force, saying "SNAP exists to help hungry children eat. It does not exist to provide private jets to a guy like Shawty Dred." For those watching the video below, it's about two-and-a-half minutes in:
Food stamp number, customer service
Those with questions about SNAP can call Georgia's Office of Family Independence at 1-877-423-4746. Self-service is available 24 hours a day.
Food stamps application
To find out if you qualify for SNAP, visit the DFCS FAQ web page or call the number above.
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: GA social media influencer arrested, charged in $4 million SNAP fraud
