A suspect charged with the armed home invasion and robbery of a couple who had just returned from their honeymoon won $1 million in the Massachusetts Lottery in 2007.
Rashad Blount, 26, formerly of Middleboro and now of Dorchester, won the $1 million grand prize in the Lottery's $800 Million Spectacular instant game on Feb. 12, 2007.
He bought the $10 scratch ticket at a store in Middleboro and was to receive annual payments of $50,000, minus taxes, for the next 20 years.
Blount and Richard Booker, 26, of 41 Courtland St., Apt. 2, Middleboro, were arrested this week on charges stemming from the Sept. 29 armed home invasion of a Milford couple who had just returned from their honeymoon.
On the night of the home invasion, a suspect identified later as Blount came to the victim's door claiming he was delivering a pizza, police said.
Then, a second suspect, identified as Booker, entered the victim's home, saying he was a police officer. At some point, a third suspect, not yet identified, came on the scene, police said.
Ball said one of the suspects ordered the female victim to stay on the ground in the living room, while another forced the man to open the safe in the bedroom where money was stored, then tied him up.
Police say Blount brandished a silver-and-black semi-automatic handgun, and the trio robbed the newlyweds of $7,000 in cash and checks that were wedding gifts.
After the couple's honeymoon, the female victim identified one suspect on Facebook when mutual acquaintances made her suspicious that Blount and Booker might be involved in the robbery.
On Facebook, the victim said she "immediately identified Booker, Richard, as being one of the assailants," Milford Detective Jason Ball wrote in the police report. "She stated she also recognized Blount, Rashad, as one of the other men she saw before they put on their masks as they entered the apartment."
Police arrested Booker and Blount in Dorchester on Wednesday. The acquaintances have not been charged.
Blount and Booker were charged with home invasion, larceny from a building, burglary, assault with a firearm, possessing a firearm during a felony, armed and masked robbery, armed assault in a dwelling, conspiracy, possession of a firearm without identification or a license to carry — and for Booker, impersonation of a police officer.
At their arraignments in Milford District Court, not guilty pleas were entered on their behalf. They were ordered held without bail for a dangerousness hearing on Nov. 1.
If Blount is found guilty, a felony conviction won't affect his annual $50,000 payday, the lottery said.
"The lottery is obligated to pay out the total prize amount for the duration of its payment schedule unless the winner has a lien placed on the winnings or there is a court-ordered injunction directing the payments to go elsewhere," said spokesperson Beth Bresnahan.
It wasn't the first time a person linked to criminal acts won the lottery.
In August, former Brockton police chief Richard Sproules, of Whitman, won $1 million from a $10 ticket for the Mass Millionaire Mania game.
Sproules pleaded guilty in 1990 to larceny of cocaine from the police station, among other charges, and served 28 months in prison of a 7-to-10 year sentence. He now counsels those struggling with addiction.
South Boston mobster James "Whitey" Bulger and three others shared a $14.3 million MassMillions jackpot in 1991. Bulger's share was $1.9 million.
After Bulger fled from a federal racketeering indictment in 1995, the U.S. attorney seized the lottery winnings. He was arrested in June 2011 in California and is being held at the Plymouth County jail until his trial, scheduled for March, in connection with 19 murders.
Thanks to lottaballz for the tip.
Thieves learn from this: STAY OFF Facebook!
Needless to say, it takes all kinds to keep this lottery thing going.
It would appear that winning a large prize in MA is conducive to having crime sprees.
The lottery commission should be putting warning advisories on all their tickets.
From receiving $35,000 a year without having to do any work to living in jail and possibly losing the remaining
future payout if the victims sue for emotional distress arising from the home invasion. Crime never pays.
He’s getting $50k per year for 20 years and decides he still needs to rob people? OK, if you feel you can’t live on free $50,000 a year, after taxes are taken out, then go get a part time job.
If Blount is found guilty, a felony conviction won't affect his annual $50,000 payday, the lottery said.
"The lottery is obligated to pay out the total prize amount for the duration of its payment schedule unless the winner has a lien placed on the winnings or there is a court-ordered injunction directing the payments to go elsewhere," said spokesperson Beth Bresnahan
Maybe restitution of the current victims? They’ll probably sue him in civil court for mental distress and get that money. Good for them.
Good time for the lotto to update its rules on stupid people. If he goes to jail, they should make him pay to stay.
Yes, RedStang, stupid, cruel, and evil people rules.
Apparently having $35k just handed to you every year isn't enough of an incentive to keep your life together. I hope he gets 10 years and the victims sue him for a large amount.
Worthless ................
Facebook never pays...............
Are these people really desperate in having lots of money? What was running on their minds to act that way? On the lighter side, Facebook really helped in solving the crime...that's Facebook.
This puts the lie to the "fact" that poverty creates crime.
Who has a safe and $7000. cash in their apartment??
Could they have thought up a few more randomly named charges to bring against them???
Good thing they plead "not guilty" her eye witness testimony may not stand up with a good lawyer.
Good point GAS, anyone can go over the edge and commit a crime.
He will have to pay for his defence so the lawyer will get it all. He does not get a public defender. One crook will meet another crook the lawyer
Is that kinda like.... Two wrongs, don't make it right...
He could just sign over the $50k per year.... Its BETTER than doing time......
He could sign it over to me, and I will agree to be his probation officer.
For that much he would want you to give conjugal visits......
No problem, just an additional $200 surcharge per visit. (maximum of 10 visits per week).
At those rates you may hope to stay booked up.......
BTW those are special reduced rates for down and out lotto losers.
A long term commitment wouldn't be totally out of the question.
I think there is a very good chance he will be proven innocent in a court of law.......
In that case a long term commitment may be a good option.
Yeah sounds like he just got mixed up with the wrong crowd of people.
Just happen to be at the wrong place at the right time.
Hopefully the sympathetic judge will drop all charges, in lieu of all the mental stress he suffered.
Right, alleged criminals are human and have rights. And why was $7000. in cash laying around ??
How are conditions?????? Cant help but quote one of our esteemed LP members in your area.....
And I quote, the great Boner.....
"Conditions are exceedingly mild and pleasantly moist."
Lets see winds gusting to 60+ mph already, rain coming down is sheets, smaller trees already snapping like toothpicks.
All schools, non-emergency state government, businesses shut down.
Sandy isn't even going to hit our area until tomorrow afternoon!
But Boner was correct, it is exceedingly mild and pleasantly moist.
Perhaps you should have hopped on a flight out of town over the week end??
Naaa we New Englanders prefer to stay and go down with the ship.
Do you have one of those Auntie Em storm cellars???
Or are you going the way of Oz???
I have a 3 foot crawl space.
Ummmmm.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2Eayx-bd3g
No, but 3 lefts do !
It's the big trees I'm concerned about, ya know, the ones close to the house.
the eyewall is about 40 mi. from atlantic city now.
Do they make portable roll cages you can wear around the house??
I really hope you guys are still alive after tomorrow, but if not I want you to know its been a real pleasure chatting with you on LP. I moved from OH when I was 16 and never considered moving back.
I will bequeath my favorite pick 3 numbers to you Ronnie316.
555, 777, 999, 000 and 111.
Please take good card of them, they have served me well in the past.
When do you return to work?
They are in good keeping my friend,,,,,,,,,, Be safe.
bet he bought his tickets with stolen money.