FLORIDA SHERIFF BUSTS 39 PEOPLE SELLING FOOD STAMPS TO BUY DRUGS AND STOCK A PIZZA RESTAURANT
A Manatee County undercover operation just landed 39 people in jail with over 100 total warrants issued for EBT card fraud.
The scam worked like this: people sold their government food assistance cards for 50 to 60 cents on the dollar.
Some told undercover cops straight up they were "headed to go get some rock cocaine" with the cash.
The main target was Gerald Millis, a local restaurant owner who allegedly bought those EBT cards and used them to stock his Pizza Pros with groceries from Sam's Club.
Police say he cycled through 53 different EBT cards.
The Manatee County Sheriff says they're one of only 3 or 4 agencies in Florida actually cracking down on this widespread problem.
Most law enforcement just isn't touching it.
Sheriff Brad Stubbe is now pushing for photos on EBT cards to make them harder to sell or share, working with the state CFO and local congressman on the idea.
55 people were caught selling their cards to undercover detectives.
Dozens more still have warrants out for their arrest.
Source: ABC NewsThe media could not be played.