Influencer who flaunted private jets indicted over alleged $4 million food stamp fraud scheme

A social media influencer has been arrested after allegedly stealing millions of dollars from a government food assistance programme. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides financial support to those with low income, allowing eligible households to purchase groceries using electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards. Atlanta-based influencer Mercedes Reshard New, also known as Shawty Dred, has been accused of exploiting the scheme to obtain more than $4 million in benefits between January 2020 and July 2026.