A United States Postal Service (USPS) employee from Broward County is facing multiple felony charges after investigators say she stole a winning Florida Lottery ticket from the mail and fraudulently claimed a $2,600 prize. The case stems from a joint investigation by the Florida Lottery’s Division of Security and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG). According to an arrest report, Lakaysha Kenya Lockhart, 28, admitted to stealing the ticket and redeeming it at the Miami District Office.
Theft of Winning Ticket
Investigators say the case began after a Florida Lottery player reported that a winning Pick 4 ticket she mailed through the USPS never arrived. The ticket was purchased at a Publix store in Tampa and worth $2,600. Because the prize exceeded the $599 maximum payout allowed at lottery retailers, terminal instructions required the ticket to be returned to the player.
The winner had mailed the ticket to a relative in Fort Lauderdale to help pay for funeral expenses. However, Florida Lottery inspectors determined that Lockhart instead redeemed the ticket on June 19. Authorities stated that Lockhart was not known to, approved by, or authorized by the ticket owner to redeem it.
Arrest and Charges
A joint operation led by Florida Lottery special agents and USPS OIG investigators resulted in Lockhart’s arrest on July 23. Jail records indicate she is facing one count of grand theft, dealing in stolen property, filing a false claim for payment, two counts of unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and mail theft.
“Our players deserve confidence that every Lottery prize is protected through strong security measures and diligent oversight,” Florida Lottery Secretary Reginald D. Dixon said in a statement. “I commend our Division of Security for their outstanding investigative work.”
Ongoing Investigation
Broward County Sheriff’s Office collaborated on the case, which will be prosecuted separately due to offenses occurring in multiple judicial circuits. Lockhart joined USPS on April 21 and remains employed but is currently off duty.
