KCSO is raiding a North Knox home in connection with a heroin/food stamp card fraud scheme. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel
A second suspect has been charged in connection with a fraud scheme involving the purchase of food stamp cards in exchange for cash and heroin, according to court records.
Joseph George Faddoul, 32, of Clinton, was arrested Saturday when authorities found him intoxicated at a North Knoxville restaurant, arrest warrants state.
Faddoul allegedly gave officers a false name, but later was identified as the second man wanted in connection with the fraud scheme.
His alleged partner, 52-year-old James Allan Hampton Jr., was captured Tuesday during a Knox County Sheriff's Office raid at his North Knox County home in the Timberlake subdivision.
Hampton and Faddoul bought food stamp cards from undercover officers on multiple occasions between Dec. 21, 017 and Jan. 18, 2018 in exchange for cash and, in at least one instance, heroin, according to warrants.
Operating as the bogus Volunteer Meat and Seafood, the two used a mobile card reader to withdraw funds totaling $4,268, the warrants state.
It is the latest in a series of KCSO sting operations targeting businesses that authorities say perpetuate crime and drug addiction.
Faddoul remained jailed Monday in lieu of $61,500 total bond. He faces 10 counts of food stamp fraud, six counts of identity theft, one count of felony theft and one count of sale and delivery of Schedule I drugs, as well as criminal impersonation and public intoxication.
Hampton was be held Monday in lieu of $56,000 bond on 22 felony warrants, including charges of food stamp fraud, identity theft and felony theft.
Both men are set to appear at a preliminary hearing Friday.