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KCSO conducts sting at Taco De Mexico for EBT card fraud

The Knox County Sheriff's Office conducted an operation at restaurant on Beaumont Avenue Wednesday afternoon.

The Knox County Sheriff's Office organized retail crime unit executed a raid Wednesday afternoon at Taco De Mexico related to EBT card fraud.

Knox County Sheriff's Office Chief of Administration Lee Tramel said 10 warrants were served concerning EBT cards.

The restaurant is located on Beaumont Avenue at the intersection with West Anderson Avenue.

The owner of Taco De Mexico, Jorge Lua, 57, was arrested on three counts of ID theft, one count of theft, three counts of EBT card fraud, and three counts of computer crime associated with EBT cards.

Tramel said Lua was buying food stamp cards for 50 cents on the dollar and then using them to buy food for the restaurant at a cheaper price.

"If you're buying stolen property, if you're buying EBT cards, if you're buying stolen gift cards, we are going to see you soon," Tramel said.

Tramel said Lua is accused of buying these cards from addicts, thus perpetuating the ongoing drug epidemic.

"Everyone can understand the need for these EBT cards," Tramel said. "But these are for food to sustain your life and they're being sold to buy drugs, you know, particularly heroin."

According to Tramel, Lua allegedly made a list of drinks that he wanted stolen and gave it to an undercover agent to steal for him so he could sell them.

The investigation, which lasted about a month, involved the Knox County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Kroger and Tennessee Department of Human Services.

The search warrants were served, but the sheriff's office said they're not finished yet.

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