BROWARD COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A single mother with three children went without groceries. A 95-year-old woman and other vulnerable people found themselves without access to food. More than 30 people say they were victimized by a Pembroke Pines woman who allegedly stole their SNAP and EBT benefits — and then converted those stolen benefits into cash. Tamica Brown, 43, is now in the Broward County Main Jail.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office says the eight-month investigation began in July 2025, after a victim reported fraudulent EBT card activity at the Walmart on South Flamingo Road in Cooper City. Investigators say Brown obtained EBT card numbers, associated PINs, and account balances from unknown sources — with that stolen data transmitted to her electronically via phone. Investigators say they have identified approximately 200 potential victims with a combined loss of more than $120,000, and have interviewed more than 30 so far.
According to BSO, Brown used the stolen card information to buy high-demand, easily resellable items — including Red Bull, Celsius, Monster energy drinks, Gatorade, and soda. She then allegedly turned around and sold that merchandise to corner stores and convenience stores, converting stolen federal benefits into cash. Victims only discovered their benefits were gone when they tried to use their own EBT cards at the grocery store and found nothing left.
Pembroke Pines police arrested Brown on April 7 on a BSO warrant. She faces charges of trafficking in counterfeit credit cards (50 or more cards) and criminal use of personal identification information involving more than 30 victims. BSO’s Cooper City District worked the investigation alongside the State Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Division, the USDA Office of Inspector General, and Walmart.
