Florida Man Used Taco Seasoning to Steal Pokémon Cards
If you’re going to steal Pokémon cards… doing it 75 times probably isn’t the stealthiest strategy.
A 39-year-old Florida man is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say he carried out a months-long retail scheme involving Pokémon trading cards and 99-cent taco seasoning packets.
According to the Florida Attorney General’s Office, Keith Wallis of Pompano Beach was arrested in late February following an investigation into thefts at Target locations across the state.
Officials allege that between July 2025 and February 2026, Wallis committed at least 75 separate incidents, targeting stores from Miami to Orlando.
How the Scheme Allegedly Worked
Investigators say Wallis used a tactic commonly known as “stacking.”
During each visit, he allegedly filled his cart with boxed Pokémon trading cards — along with an equal number of taco seasoning packets priced at 99 cents.
At self-checkout, authorities say he scanned and paid only for the seasoning packets, leaving the higher-priced trading cards unaccounted for.
After leaving the store, investigators allege Wallis resold the Pokémon cards online through eBay, generating nearly $40,000 in revenue.
Target’s reported loss exceeds $10,000.
Charges and Potential Sentence
Wallis has been charged with:
- Felony organized retail theft
- Dealing in stolen property
- Money laundering
If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 90 years in prison under Florida law.
Authorities say the investigation remains active, and law enforcement is looking into whether Wallis may be connected to similar thefts at other retailers, including Walmart and Publix.
Under Florida statutes, repeated thefts can be combined over time to reach higher felony thresholds, which can significantly increase potential penalties.
SOURCE: https://www.complex.com/life/a/bernadette-giacomazzo/florida-man-pokemon-card-scam
