Judge denies bond for influencer 'Shawty Dred' in $4M fraud case – FOX 5 Atlanta

Judge denies bond for influencer ‘Shawty Dred’ in $4M fraud case  FOX 5 Atlanta

A federal judge has ordered an Atlanta social media influencer known online as "Shawty Dred" held behind bars without bond as he faces dozens of federal charges accusing him of running a $4 million food assistance fraud scheme. Atlanta social media influencer Mercedes Reshard New, known online as "Shawty Dred," was ordered held without bond on federal charges accusing him of running a $4 million food assistance fraud scheme. (Photo: Instagram / richlifeshawtydred) ATLANTA – A judge has ordered an Atlanta social media influencer known online as "Shawty Dred" held behind bars without bond as he faces dozens of federal charges accusing him of running a $4 million food assistance fraud scheme.

Mercedes Reshard New, 39, appeared in federal court in Atlanta for his arraignment and detention hearing on Thursday. A magistrate judge agreed with federal prosecutors that New should be held without bail pending trial. He was transferred to the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla. ORIGINAL STORY: Atlanta influencer 'Shawty Dred' indicted in $4M SNAP fraud scheme According to federal prosecutors, New orchestrated a multi-year scheme running from January 2020 through July 2026. Court documents allege New acquired more than 350 electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards using stolen identities and registered his company, Shawty Dred LLC, as an authorized Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) retailer. He then allegedly