St. Paul Man Charged After Allegedly Attempting to Use Found Debit Cards at Walmart
Published: June 3rd, 2026
WEST SAINT PAUL: A 19-year-old St. Paul man has been charged with a felony in Dakota County after authorities allege he attempted to use debit and credit cards belonging to another person at a Walmart store.
According to a criminal complaint, a West St. Paul police officer was notified by Walmart asset protection on June 1, 2026, about a man who allegedly attempted to place a large balance onto a gift card at a self-checkout station. The transaction was reportedly declined, and the man left the store.
The complaint states that officers recognized the attempted gift card purchase as a tactic commonly associated with the unauthorized use of financial transaction cards.
While officers were investigating, another individual approached police and reported finding a wallet in a trash receptacle. The wallet allegedly contained three debit or credit cards.
Investigators reviewed Walmart surveillance footage and observed a man holding the wallet while attempting to use each of the three cards to purchase a gift card, according to the complaint.
The suspect was later located at a nearby restaurant and identified as Isaiah Emmanuel Brown, 19, of West St. Paul.
Court documents allege that after being advised of his rights, Brown told investigators he had found the wallet and knew the cards inside did not belong to him but decided to try using them anyway.
Transaction records cited in the complaint show Brown allegedly attempted three separate transactions of $359.86, one on each of the three cards.
Brown is charged with one count of financial transaction card fraud for allegedly using a financial transaction card without the cardholder's consent involving more than $250 but not more than $2,500.
If convicted, the felony charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The allegations contained in the criminal complaint are merely accusations, and Brown is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.