A United States Postal Service employee was arrested following a joint investigation into the theft and fraudulent redemption of a winning Florida Lottery ticket sent through the mail.
The investigation began when a player reported that a winning Pick 4 ticket mailed through the Postal Service failed to reach its destination.
An inspector with the Florida Lottery determined the ticket was redeemed on June 19, 2026, at the Florida Lottery’s Miami District Office by Lekaysha Lockhart, a USPS letter carrier.
Florida Lottery Special Agents and investigators from the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG) conducted a joint operation that led to Lockhart’s arrest on July 23, 2026. Following her arrest, Lockhart admitted to stealing the ticket from the mail and claiming the prize money in Miami.
“Our players deserve confidence that every Lottery prize is protected through strong security measures and diligent oversight,” said Florida Lottery Secretary Reginald D. Dixon. “I commend our Division of Security for their outstanding investigative work and thank our partners at the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office for their collaboration in protecting the integrity of Florida Lottery games and bringing this case to a successful resolution.”
Lockhart faces charges of Grand Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property, Filing a False Claim for Payment, Mail Theft, and two counts of Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device. Because the alleged offenses took place across multiple judicial circuits, the cases will be prosecuted separately.
READ: Central Florida Woman Turns $5 Scratch-Off Into $1 Million Lottery Jackpot
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