The manager of Wilkinson Terrace public housing complex was arrested by the Caddo Sheriff's Office today for illegally purchasing and spending food stamp benefits, said Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator.

Detectives with the sheriff's newly formed Special Investigations Section arrested Tangela Y. Smith on two warrants for unauthorized use of a food stamp card. She was booked into Caddo Correctional Center.

Lt. Jay Long and Sgt. John May said their unit received a complaint that Smith had purchased and used food stamp benefits from tenants at the Wilkinson Terrace apartment complex.Smith is accused of paying less than face value for the benefits and making purchases with the benefits, even though they were not officially issued to her. Both are violations of state law.

Long and May said the incidents involved purchases from at least four tenants dating back to November 2008. The combined benefits for these individuals totaled over $3,000 monthly; however, investigators are still working to determine how much of the benefits were sold. 
Also arrested were the tenants who illegally sold the food stamp cards:Dewanna Jean Moore, 37; William Cantrel McGillis, 28; Brenda Denise Brown, 50; and Daretta Deshon Wesley, 18.

All four reside at Wilkinson Terrace Apartments located in the 2700 block of Southern Avenue. All four were issued summonses for unauthorized use of a food stamp card.
Sheriff 's investigators were assisted by The Office of Family Support Fraud and Recovery Section and Louisiana State Police. Similar charges are pending against Smith in other jurisdictions.