Pembroke Pines woman arrested in theft of SNAP benefits from around 200 people, BSO says

A Pembroke Pines woman has been arrested after she was accused in the theft of SNAP benefits from around 200 people, authorities said.

Tamica Brown, 43, was arrested on April 7 on charges of criminal use of personal identification information involving over 30 victims and trafficking in counterfeit credit cards involving 50 or more cards, Broward jail records showed.

Broward Sheriff’s Office officials said an investigation began in July of 2025 when deputies responded to the Walmart at 4700 S. Flamingo Road for a report of a fraudulent use of an EBT card.

Investigators found Brown was operating an organized fraud scheme where she unlawfully obtained EBT card numbers belonging to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP recipients, along with the associated PINs and account balances.

The card numbers were stolen by unknown means and transmitted to Brown electronically through phones, and after she received the info she conducted unauthorized transactions, authorities said.

The purchases included high-demand items like energy drinks and sports drinks, which Brown then resold to corner stores and convenience stores, officials said.

Investigators identified about 200 victims who’d suffered a combined loss of over $120,000, but have been able to track down more than 30 victims so far, officials said.

The victims discovered their benefits had been stolen when they tried to use their cards to purchase food and other items.

In one case, a single mother with three children went without groceries, and in another, a 95-year-old woman found herself without access to her nutritional needs, authorities said.

Brown was being held on a $300,000 bond, jail records showed.