Judge denies bond for influencer 'Shawty Dred' in $4M fraud case

Atlanta Rapper Shawty Dred Indicted in $42M Federal SNAP Fraud Sweep

Atlanta rapper Shawty Dred has been indicted by the Department of Justice Fraud Division as part of a federal crackdown on SNAP benefits fraud.

Judge denies bond for influencer 'Shawty Dred' in $4M fraud case

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.

Who Is Shawty Dred? Atlanta Influencer Facing SNAP Fraud Case

Who is Shawty Dred? He is Mercedes Reshard New, 39, an Atlanta comedian, rapper and Instagram personality who was indicted on October 7 on 63 federal counts accusing him of stealing roughly $4 million in food stamp benefits. Long before the charges, New was building a name in Atlanta. He was born September 26, 1987, and raised in the city. His own YouTube bio says his first taste of fame came from being close to the late Shawty Lo, the Bankhead …