Florida Department of Law Enforcement special agents arrested Altirik Harper, 27, of Tallahassee yesterday on charges that he wrongfully received public assistance benefits which he was not entitled to. Harper was charged with one count of misuse of electronic benefits transfer card.

FDLE’s Public Assistance Fraud unit began its investigation after receiving information from the Department of Children and Families that alleged Harper submitted false applications to DCF for food stamps in the form of Electronic Benefits Transfer Cards (EBT) and used those cards for personal use or sold them for a profit.

FDLE’s investigation revealed that 23 EBT cards had been issued to a residence on S. M L King Jr. Blvd. in Tallahassee. Harper previously resided at the location. FDLE agents, working with loss prevention investigators at local stores, were able to determine that on numerous occasions Harper purchased items with an EBT card in another person’s name. The investigation further revealed that Harper had sold at least four of the EBT cards he obtained.

Harper was booked into the Leon County Jail. FDLE’s investigation in continuing and more arrests are pending.

FDLE previously arrested Rofael Watts, 26, of Tallahassee on Feb. 26 and charged him with one count of public assistance fraud. Agents say Watts purchased one of Harper’s fraudulent EBT cards.

For Further Information Contact:
Heather Smith, Kristen Chernosky or Mike Morrison
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001