USPS Mail Carrier Accused of Stealing Winning Florida Lottery Ticket and Claiming $2,600 Prize

A Florida mail carrier is facing serious felony charges after investigators say she stole a winning Florida Lottery ticket from the mail and cashed in the prize herself.

The case centers on 28-year-old Lakaysha Kenya Lockhart, a United States Postal Service employee assigned to the Oakland Park Post Office. Authorities say she redeemed a winning Pick 4 ticket worth $2,600 at the Florida Lottery's Miami District Office on June 19.

How the Investigation Started

The investigation began when a Florida Lottery player reported that a winning ticket sent through the U.S. Postal Service never reached its destination.

According to investigators:

• The winning ticket was purchased at a Publix store in Tampa.
• It was worth $2,600, which meant it could not be cashed at a regular lottery retailer.
• The winner mailed the ticket to a relative in Fort Lauderdale to help cover funeral expenses for another family member.

Instead of arriving as planned, the ticket disappeared during delivery.

Investigators Say the Ticket Was Stolen

A joint investigation by the Florida Lottery Division of Security and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General traced the ticket to Lockhart.

Authorities say she was not authorized by the ticket owner to claim the prize. During a joint operation, investigators arrested her on July 23. According to the arrest report, Lockhart admitted to stealing the ticket from the mail and cashing it at the Miami District Office.

Multiple Felony Charges Filed

Lockhart is now facing several felony charges, including:

• Grand theft
• Mail theft
• Dealing in stolen property
• Filing a false claim for payment
• Two counts of unlawful use of a two-way communications device

Florida Lottery officials said the charges will be handled in separate court cases because the alleged crimes took place across multiple judicial circuits.

Florida Lottery Responds

Florida Lottery Secretary Reginald D. Dixon praised the agencies involved in the investigation, saying players should have confidence that lottery prizes are protected through strong security measures and close cooperation between law enforcement partners.

Employment Status

A USPS spokesperson confirmed that Lockhart joined the Postal Service on April 21, 2025. She remains employed by USPS but is currently off duty.

As of Friday morning, she was not listed as an inmate in Broward County jail records.