Arrest warrants have been issued for three Independence County residents who have been allegedly illegally trafficking and using food coupons or vouchers — a process through the Department of Human Services that people have commonly known for years as “food stamps.”
In the last few years and for those in the program, payment for food items is done by using a food stamp card.
The three individuals who are “wanted” by authorities and accused of wrong-doing in the case are: Allen Drayton, Jr. 22,; Jamall D. Balentine, 21; and Alize J. Brown, 22.
Drayton, Jr., was in the food stamp program and was getting marijuana from Balentine and allowing him (Balentine) to use the card to go to Walmart and purchase food as payment for the marijuana, according to Independence County Circuit Court information.
Apparently, Drayton had given Balentine and his (Drayton’s) sister Brown (the girlfriend of Balentine) the card to use because Drayton owned Balentine $100 for marijuana. Then Drayton realized the card had $300 on it, and he was afraid Balentine would use more than the $100 he owned him, court documents say. That’s when Drayton canceled the card. Balentine then told Drayton he wanted $100 for the marijuana he had let him have, and that’s what led to an altercation on Feb 10. During that altercation, Brown told authorities that her boyfriend — Balentine — had been shot by Drayton, Jr. and another man.
(Read about that incident by clicking here.)
Brown told police Drayton and the other man fled the Dry Run Circle area in a white Chevy Malibu.
Drayton, Jr., is charged with four felony and three misdemeanor counts of trafficking in illegal food coupons.
Balentine and Brown are charged with five felony and three misdemeanor counts of illegal presentation of food coupons. Each has been placed on $2,000 bonds.
If you know the whereabouts of any of the three, you are advised to notify the Independence County Sheriff’s Department at (870) 793-8838.
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