Tattoo Parlor Took Food Stamps as Payment

Tattoo Parlor Took Food Stamps as Payment

on Thu, 19 Sep 2013

Ink Addiction Tattooz in Raleigh, N.C. allowed customers to use or sell their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, also known as food stamps, for payment. Owner Clifford Tittle was arrested on September 12.

Raleigh police learned about this in early 2013. An informant used two EBT cards and then sold Tittle two more EBT cards. The US Department of Agriculture found EBT cards were used four other times. From WNCN:

On Sept. 4, two individuals used EBT cards and cash for work from Ink Addiction Tattooz. The amount charged to EBT cards was $421 and 417.61, court documents show.

On Sept. 6, another individual paid Tittle $413 on their EBT to receive tattoo work from Tittle. This sale also included $175 in cash.

According to court documents, an individual sold an EBT card worth $570 to Tittle on Sept. 6 for $215.

From Sept. 4 to 11, a confidential informant met with Tittle five different times, police said. The informant twice sold Tittle food stamps. During two other meetings, the informant received $600 worth of tattoo work in exchange for EBT card benefits.

The police took the proceeds from the sales along with computers and evidence that Tittle owns the parlor. He is charged with buying or selling/distribution of food stamps and conspiracy to obtain property under false pretenses.