Why Texas Police Arrested a Woman Who Claimed a Winning Lottery Ticket

(Hearne, Texas) - A Texas woman’s excitement over a winning scratch-off lottery ticket quickly turned sour when she was arrested after attempting to claim her prize. Authorities allege that the ticket, valued at a substantial sum, was obtained through illegal means.

The story was first reported by KBTX and the details are scarce but here's what we know so far.

On Tuesday, November 5, a winning ticket was sold at the QuickPump at 102 S. Market Street in Hearne, TX and claimed by a person who wanted to remain anonymous the previous day.

The winning ticket was a $50 “Luxe” scratch-off game and the winning ticket was for one of the games top prizes of $5 Million.

Something must have been amiss because on Friday, November 15, the Texas Lottery Commission confirmed that the Hearne police department was conducting a criminal investigation linked to the winning ticket and the state agency is assisting in the case.

Hearne Police and state lottery officials say an investigation revealed that Arthurica Jackson may have obtained the winnings through fraudulent activity.

Jackson has been arrested for Claim Lottery Prize Fraud >$10k and Theft of Property >=$300k. Her bond was set for $3,000,000. Hearne police declined to share more information but it is being reported that Jackson was an employee of the store where the winning ticket was obtained.

Officials have stated that they are still investigating and have not offered any more comment on the matter. The incident has drawn significant attention on social media, with many expressing shock at the unusual turn of events.