USPS carrier arrested for stealing winning lottery ticket

A U.S. Postal Service letter carrier has been arrested and charged with stealing and fraudulently cashing a winning Florida Lottery ticket that was mailed by its rightful owner. The arrest followed a joint investigation by state and federal authorities.

Lekaysha Lockhart was arrested on July 23, 2026, after an investigation that began when a lottery player reported that a winning Pick 4 ticket mailed through the U.S. Postal Service never arrived at its destination. According to the Florida Lottery, an inspector traced the ticket and found it had already been redeemed on June 19, 2026, at the Lottery's Miami District Office by Lockhart, who was identified as a postal employee.

Following her arrest, Lockhart admitted to taking the winning ticket from the mail and redeeming it, officials said. The investigation was a joint operation between the Florida Lottery's Division of Security and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Broward County Sheriff's Office.

Lockhart faces multiple charges including 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...