A U.S. Postal Service employee is facing criminal charges after investigators say she stole a winning lottery ticket from the mail and fraudulently claimed the prize for herself.
According to KNOE, 28-year-old Lakaysha Lockhart worked at a post office in Oakland Park, Florida, when the alleged theft occurred. Investigators said a Tampa woman won $2,600 on a Pick 4 lottery ticket and decided to mail the unclaimed ticket through the U.S. Postal Service as a gift for a relative.
However, after about a week, the intended recipient told her the envelope had never arrived.
Investigation Led Detectives to Florida Lottery Office
After discovering the ticket was missing, the woman contacted law enforcement, prompting an investigation into the disappearance. Authorities later learned the winning ticket had already been redeemed at a Florida Lottery field office in Miami Lakes.
Investigators allege Lockhart presented the ticket and collected the $2,600 prize. Police have not said how investigators linked Lockhart to the missing lottery ticket.
Postal Employee Faces Multiple Criminal Charges
Lockhart has been charged with:
- Grand theft
- Petty theft
- Possession of stolen mail
- Using a two-way communications device to commit a felony
She is expected to face the charges in court as the case moves forward.
Officials have not announced whether the lottery winner or the intended recipient has since recovered the prize money.