Florida Man Accused of $40,000 Target and Walmart Theft Using Taco Seasoning

A Florida man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly stealing over $10,000 worth of trading cards from Target and Walmart stores across the state, utilizing a scheme involving 99-cent taco seasoning packets. Keith Wallis, 39, of Palm Beach, is accused of generating nearly $40,000 in revenue by reselling the stolen cards on eBay.

The Organized Retail Theft Scheme

Between July 2025 and February 2026, Keith Wallis allegedly committed 75 thefts at Target locations spanning from Orlando to Miami, Florida . The scheme involved selecting large boxes of trading cards and an equal number of taco seasoning packets at self-checkout, then only paying for the seasoning. Approximately 39 of these thefts occurred at Target stores .

Charges and Potential Penalties

Wallis has been arrested and charged with two counts of felony organized retail theft, three counts of felony dealing in stolen property, and one count of felony money laundering . If convicted on all charges, he faces a potential sentence of up to 90 years in the Florida Department of Corrections .

Investigation and Law Enforcement Response

The investigation was led by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Statewide Prosecution, with assistance from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office . Investigators confirmed the scheme by making controlled purchases of the stolen cards and tracing the proceeds to Wallis’s bank account . The investigation is ongoing, with authorities suspecting Wallis may have also committed thefts at Publix locations.

Statement from Florida Attorney General

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier stated, “Florida has the number one economy in the nation because of our commitment to law and order.” He further emphasized that organized retail theft drives up prices for consumers and will be met with the maximum punishment allowed under the law .