An Atlanta rapper and social media personality who showcased stacks of cash and luxury vehicles online has been indicted on federal fraud charges, accused of obtaining millions of dollars in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through fraudulent accounts, according to federal prosecutors.
Mercedes New, 39, known online as Shawty Dred, allegedly controlled more than 350 fraudulent SNAP accounts created using stolen identities between January 2020 and July 2026, according to the US Department of Justice. Prosecutors allege that he caused approximately $4.6 million in benefits to be transferred to fraudulent accounts, with about $4 million siphoned from them.
