Man accused of using taco seasoning packets to steal $40K from Target

A Florida man is facing retail theft charges after local authorities allege that he stole thousands of dollars’ worth of trading cards from multiple Target stores using 99-cent taco seasoning packets.

According to a statement from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s office on Feb. 26, Keith Wallis, 39, was arrested after he allegedly engaged in an organized retail fraud scheme at multiple Target locations from Miami to Orlando.

Wallis has been charged with counts of felony organized retail theft, three counts of felony dealing in stolen property, and one count of felony money laundering, according to Uthmeier’s office.

Wallis is accused of committing 75 thefts at multiple Target locations across Florida between July 2025 and February 2026, Uthmeier’s office said. Investigators believe that in each theft, Wallis would grab large boxes of trading cards and an equal number of 99-cent taco seasoning packets.

Then, once at the self-checkout line, Wallis is alleged to have only paid for the seasoning packets. Authorities said that Wallis would resell the stolen trading cards on eBay, generating almost $40,000 in revenue.

Wallis’ alleged thefts resulted in a loss of over $10,000, according to Uthmeier’s office.

Authorities believe Wallis is connected to Walmart, Publix thefts

The investigation is ongoing; authorities suspect Wallis committed additional thefts at Walmart and Publix locations in Florida.

“This arrest sends a clear message that organized retail theft, no matter how coordinated or far-reaching, will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted,” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said in a statement.

Wallis faces up to 90 years in prison if convicted on all counts. As of Feb. 27, online court records do not show a defense attorney listed for him.

“Organized retail theft drives up prices for consumers, and that is not a result we are going to tolerate. These schemes will be met with the maximum punishment allowed under the law,” Uthmeier said.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man allegedly used taco seasoning packets to steal $40K from Target