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Sholondrell Taylor, Owner of Two Convenience Stores, Pleads Guilty to $1.6 Million Food Stamp Fraud Scheme
In a shocking case of exploitation, Sholondrell Taylor, owner of Dandes Food Center, LLC and Shop Rite Food Mart, LLC, has pleaded guilty to theft of government funds in a $1.6 million food stamp fraud scheme.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Taylor allowed customers to exchange their food stamps for cash at a rate of 50 cents on the dollar. She also purchased Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) vouchers from benefit recipients at less than their actual value and redeemed them for full value with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
From January 2008 through January 2011, Taylor operated her two stores in Forest Park, Georgia, and Atlanta, Georgia, respectively, where she unlawfully allowed her customers to exchange their food stamp benefits for cash. Taylor set the rates of redemption and instructed her employees to keep detailed ledgers of all transactions to ensure that they were not stealing from her.
Many of the customers who sold their WIC vouchers and food stamp benefits never visited Dandes or Shop Rite because Taylor employed a driver to retrieve WIC vouchers and food stamp cards in exchange for cash.
The case came to the attention of federal authorities as a result of an investigation involving Georgia Department of Human Services employees. In 2011, Gene Tell and Kristy Williams were charged with conspiracy and mail fraud for their roles in the fraudulent creation and distribution of thousands of food stamp cards.
Taylor, 47, of Ellenwood, Georgia, has not yet been sentenced. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, is investigating the case.
Assistant United States Attorney Loranzo M. Fleming is prosecuting the case. For further information, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.
This case is a stark reminder of the importance of protecting government programs from abuse and exploitation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to root out fraud and ensure that those who perpetrate these crimes are held accountable.
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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