According to the information presented in court, Guy Randal Stockard, a/k/a Randy, 59, defrauded the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, of more than $1.2 million over an approximately 28-month period. As part of the scheme, Stockard owned and operated Southern MeatMarket, a small retail market in Memphis, Tennessee. Southern Meat Market was authorized to accept SNAP benefits from customers as payment for eligible food items. Beginning in January 2015 and continuing through April 2017, Stockard used Southern Meat Market to conduct fraudulent SNAP transactions totaling $1,206,958.00. To carry out the fraud, Stockard bought customers’ SNAP benefits at a discount in exchange for cash. Stockard then redeemed those benefits at their full dollar value, receiving electronic funds transfers of SNAP funds to his business bank account. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Protection of the U.S. Treasury and taxpayer resources is a top priority for this office. This long term fraudulent scheme caused significant loss to the SNAP Program, and the defendant will now serve a substantial sentence for his crimes of dishonesty." On September 13, 2018, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Stockard to 51 months imprisonment; 3 years supervised release, and ordered Stockard to pay $1,206,958.00 in criminal forfeiture and restitution. This case was investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture – Office of the Inspector General and the United States Secret Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Murre Foster prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf.
-- Western District of Tennessee