Sex Offender Lottery: Convicted Sex Offender Wins $3 Million in Florida
A sex offender won the lottery in Florida and people are outraged. According to CBS News, convicted sex offender Timothy Poole purchased a scratch ticket at a convenience store in Mount Dora. Little did he know that the ticket would change his life. Poole — who spent three years behind bars after failing to follow up with counseling following a 1999 offense of sexual assault on a child — will take a lump sum of $2,219,807 after scratching a ticket for $3 million. The state of Florida does not allow the lottery to pick and choose who they pay out based on people’s criminal records.
“He was flabbergasted. He couldn’t believe it. It was quite a remarkable thing. My heart is still beating,” said Poole’s friend Floyd Snyder. “He’s a very positive person. Very kind. Giving. I think that’s why he won. It’s Christmas-time and the dude deserves a break.”
The sex offender who won the lottery has been arrested 12 times in Florida, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Poole has been to jail twice and has been charged with various crimes from grand theft to forging a check. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Poole is still on probation and was forced to register as a sexual predator in the state of Florida. While many people are appalled that this man is now a millionaire, there is nothing to keep him from collecting his winnings.
“There are no registration laws that would prevent that, but if that offender was under supervision or on probation there could be additional sanctions imposed by the judge,” Florida Department of Law enforcement Samantha Andrews said.
According to the New York Daily News, Poole currently works as a cab driver for a Florida company owned by his mother. It is unknown if he has any immediate plans to quit his job or what he plans on doing with the money he won.
As you can probably imagine, the response on social media hasn’t exactly been positive.
OF COURSE a sex offender wins the Florida Lottery.
— Matt from Ruthless (@mattcale52) December 10, 2014
Registered sex offender wins $3 million in the FL lottery…way to go Florida
— Caitlin M Geary (@CaitGeary6) December 10, 2014
@TheTweetOfGod: Convicted Child Sex Offender Wins $3 Million Florida Lottery But I totally exist, I swear I’m beginning to question that.
— KEITH TOLE (@BITEMETOLE) December 10, 2014
a convicted sex offender won the Florida lottery which currently ranks #36 on the Top 10 Creepiest Things To Happen in Florida Today list
— Matt Oswalt (@Puddinstrip) December 10, 2014
[Photo courtesy of The Florida Lottery via the New York Daily News]
