Florida Lottery winner outed as sexual predator

Dec 10, 2014, 5:24 pm (28 comments)

Florida Lottery

At the Florida Lottery headquarters, Timothy Poole, 43, posed for a photo with an oversized check after claiming his $3 million Scratch-Off prize. But when the image hit the Internet, others recognized the 450-pound man as a registered sexual predator.

In 2001, The Orange County Sheriff's Office arrested Poole on charges of sexual battery on a 9-year-old boy, records show. Before that, he was arrested in 1991 for stealing almost $20,000 in food stamps from Safeco Inc. of Ocala, where he worked as a guard. 

In all, Poole has been arrested 12 times in Florida on charges ranging from grand theft to forging a check, records show. Poole served three months in prison in 1996 and did a second stint from 2003 to 2006, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.

This week, Poole claimed his winnings from the Florida Lottery in a one-time lump-sum payment of $2,219,807.90. He played the Super Millions scratch-off game which costs $20 a ticket. The game offers 12 top prizes of $3 million and, with Poole's winner, five remain, spokeswoman Keri Gero said.

A call to Poole's workplace, Triangle Cabs, was not returned. He did not answer the door of his Mount Dora home where a "No Trespassing" sign was posted on a fence.

The Florida Lottery took down a photo of Poole from its website after learning from media about his past.

"We chose to not draw additional attention to this particular winner," said Shelly Gerteisen, communications manager for the Florida Lottery.

This is not the first time a registered sex offender has struck it rich.

In 2007, a Jensen Beach man arrested for lewd and lascivious or indecent assault upon a child snagged a $14 million lottery jackpot prize.

This year, Massachusetts legislators are considering a bill to prevent registered sex offenders from collecting lottery earnings after a $10 million winner used the money to buy expensive gifts for a new victim, police said.

In Florida, there are no laws that prohibit registered sexual predators from playing the numbers and collecting winnings. The Florida Lottery cannot withhold earnings based on someone's criminal record.

"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," said Samantha Andrews of the Florida Department of Law enforcement.

Restrictions depend on the nature of the crime, Andrews said. For example, some sexual predators cannot dress up on Halloween because it attracts attention from children, she said. City or county ordinances may also prevent sexual predators from living within 1,000 feet of a school, day care or park.

Poole pleaded guilty in 2002 to sexual battery of two boys.

The incidents occurred in the late 1990s in both Tavares and Orlando, where he sometimes stayed with the boys' parents, according to an Orange County sheriff's report. Poole, then 28, denied the allegations to sheriff's detectives, saying he would never hurt the boys because he felt as if they were his own.

He was sentenced to five years in prison by Circuit Judge Alan S. Apte and was released from state custody in 2006.

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Sentinel

Comments

LottoMetro's avatarLottoMetro

Lady luck doesn't discriminate! LOL

MillionsWanted's avatarMillionsWanted

Unless there are some rules saying he must pay his victims whenever he gets money, I guess he's all clear.

sully16's avatarsully16

He's stacked up a lot of bad Karma, What will his Lottery Curse be?

Ron5995

Quote: Originally posted by MillionsWanted on Dec 10, 2014

Unless there are some rules saying he must pay his victims whenever he gets money, I guess he's all clear.

Not quite. In many states, child abuse sex victims can sue many years, or even decades, later. In PA, from my understanding, such a victim could potentially successfully (as in not being time-barred) file a civil suit up to age 30 (criminal actions up to age 50). Some states allow even more time, plus some states have extended the statue of limitations for filing civil suits. Unlike criminal statue of limitations, such extensions for civil cases can, and often do, apply retroactively. In essence, in many jurisdictions, a child abuse sex offender is potentially civilly liable for life. Yet, murders and others often aren't, but I digress.

He was very foolish to bring attention to himself, but presumably never considered the civil liability angle, nor the more immediate danger of vigilantes searching him out. Not up on the laws of Florida, but it's possible, with an aggressive, savvy legal team, the victims could be in for a payday too.

Going forward, it's likely lotteries will add criminal background checks to their jackpot winners screening process, which, currently, often includes checking for back-taxes, unpaid government guaranteed college loans, and child support obligations.

As for lotteries forfeiting such winnings could open the door for more laws allowing forfeiture for other offenses too - make some players more leery of playing. Lotteries have a lot of competition in many places. Even a seemingly legit forfeiture could too easily be taken out of context with people claiming lottery X is a scam and doesn't pay out winners and to steer clear. Personally, my view is, lotteries should be just that, and not police who wins.

rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

While he committed a heinous crime, he did do the time.

I'm not sure I want the lottery to be tacking on more penalties that a court didn't hand out. The lottery commission is not a judge or jury.  If he bought a ticket, he has the same chance and right to win as anyone else.

As far as civil suits from his victims, that's another story.

chris-chase

I hope the next time I read about this clown is when the headline reads "Lottery Winner/Child Molestor beaten to death"

winoneday

What is "grant theft" ?

TheGameGrl's avatarTheGameGrl

Quote: Originally posted by rcbbuckeye on Dec 10, 2014

While he committed a heinous crime, he did do the time.

I'm not sure I want the lottery to be tacking on more penalties that a court didn't hand out. The lottery commission is not a judge or jury.  If he bought a ticket, he has the same chance and right to win as anyone else.

As far as civil suits from his victims, that's another story.

^This was a very diplomatic response. I agree

savagegoose's avatarsavagegoose

Quote: Originally posted by LottoMetro on Dec 10, 2014

Lady luck doesn't discriminate! LOL

lady luck is blindfolded, or is that justice?

noise-gate

That's the price sexual predators have to pay- Their mugs are on the internet " For Life". However there seems to be no information as to whether he has kept his nose clean since his release in 2006. Perhaps he has " turned a new leaf" and left the kids alone, one can only hope. Now if he decides to use his newfound wealth to lure children into unlawful acts...count that as " three strikes"- 25 years to life ..absolutely no early parole .Angry

HaveABall's avatarHaveABall

Quote: Originally posted by savagegoose on Dec 10, 2014

lady luck is blindfolded, or is that justice?

Apparently she's neither.  Banana

So, 18+ human mistake makers and non-mistake makers may win the lottery jackpot of any game.  Yeah, we can all have renewed hope now that we KNOW that this jackpot win wasn't rigged. LOL. 

Congratulations to all jackpot winners ... I am looking forward to joining your rare accomplishment soon!

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

ScaredBaby raper + $3M = a very dangerous scary combination Scared.

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Crazy

dr65's avatardr65

450 pounds?

A pound of flesh might have been a fitting price to pay.

It's not fair to tag a person who has done their time for crimes they committed for life. But it is fair in a world
where sex sells and is on people's minds a lot of the time to watch the sexual deviants for life. And before any-
one cries, it's not his fault! It is, there are taboos. Anyone knows what's right and what's wrong.

$3M will afford this man a lot of good things or bad things.

If we see him in the news again for related crimes, we will know his rehabilitation and punishment
did nothing for him. I have little faith in a system that puts people on a watch list and requires
them to register with police depts. and stay a certain distance away from schools. They'll get what they want
no matter what. The punishments do not fit the crimes which is incentive to try and get away with more of the
same. IMO, the USA has failed miserably with its criminal justice system. His victims should be awarded the
money. But since he's already 'paid his dues' in jail time, there are some that would say move on. BS.

I can't imagine what a 9 year old child would carry with him the rest of his life due to a monster of society who
used him because he was a coward who had a misplaced sense of power and took advantage of him for his own
sick needs.

I'd most likely be the one in jail because I'd try everything possible to make sure he never touched a child again.

Some countries barbarianism might suit the US just fine - an eye for an eye, etc...removing the offending part
would certainly be just in this case. There should be no rights to anything once you've crossed certain lines.

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

I am glad for Mr. Poole's scratch off jackpot win. I am VERY glad he had his photo taken and it's out there for people with children to see(as a refresher and a reminder).
 While I am a bit perplexed as to why he wants the attention after past criminal activities.  Guessing the scratchoff god has a plan for this man.

VenomV12

A criminal record or what crime you did has nothing to do with wining the lottery. While I would prefer rapists, child molesters, drug dealers and a whole bunch of other people did not win the lottery, that does not mean they don't have the right to win the lottery. If they paid the money and they are of legal age, then it is their money, end of story. If their victims want to sue them and it is within the law, then that is fine also, but it is their money, end of story.

HaveABall's avatarHaveABall

Quote: Originally posted by mypiemaster on Dec 11, 2014

ScaredBaby raper + $3M = a very dangerous scary combination Scared.

Not dangerous, mypiemaster, since once he receives the monies in January, he'll need to each quarter, finish paying remainder of due 41% Federal Income Taxes and newer 'highest-income-bracket Federal Medicare Taxes'. 

Though an exciting jackpot lump-sum amount to win, this net win wouldn't be enough for an immediate retirement from working full-time until he's in his 60s.

PrisonerSix

Quote: Originally posted by VenomV12 on Dec 11, 2014

A criminal record or what crime you did has nothing to do with wining the lottery. While I would prefer rapists, child molesters, drug dealers and a whole bunch of other people did not win the lottery, that does not mean they don't have the right to win the lottery. If they paid the money and they are of legal age, then it is their money, end of story. If their victims want to sue them and it is within the law, then that is fine also, but it is their money, end of story.

I agree with this.

It's not up to the lottery to punish criminals, we have courts to do that.

Of course when it comes to people we wish didn't win, there are many who have been discussed here who didn't have criminal histories but had other problems that made us wish they didn't win, or after they won, they went crazy. Even though what many of these people didn't wasn't as bad as Mr. Poole, we still wish they hadn't won.

Lady luck is blind and any adult who buys a ticket has a shot at winning no matter who they are.

jjtheprince

Quote: Originally posted by PrisonerSix on Dec 11, 2014

I agree with this.

It's not up to the lottery to punish criminals, we have courts to do that.

Of course when it comes to people we wish didn't win, there are many who have been discussed here who didn't have criminal histories but had other problems that made us wish they didn't win, or after they won, they went crazy. Even though what many of these people didn't wasn't as bad as Mr. Poole, we still wish they hadn't won.

Lady luck is blind and any adult who buys a ticket has a shot at winning no matter who they are.

Unless you are afflicted by the curse of "Can't win" that is.

RedStang's avatarRedStang

Quote: Originally posted by chris-chase on Dec 10, 2014

I hope the next time I read about this clown is when the headline reads "Lottery Winner/Child Molestor beaten to death"

I Agree!  He belongs in a landfill.

1977's avatar1977

Hope the boy who  should be 22 year old. now .saw  the PICTURE of the SOB!!!!! and gets a  lawyer ..

DoctorWhy's avatarDoctorWhy

If the man legally purchased a ticket and won he should be allowed his winnings.

KY Floyd's avatarKY Floyd

"We chose to not draw additional attention to this particular winner,"

Here's good news/bad news for all of you who want the lottery to let you be anonymous if you win.

Get paid's avatarGet paid

Another case of an Idiot winning the lottery,if you don,t play you don,t win.

luckyshoes's avatarluckyshoes

Quote: Originally posted by dr65 on Dec 11, 2014

450 pounds?

A pound of flesh might have been a fitting price to pay.

It's not fair to tag a person who has done their time for crimes they committed for life. But it is fair in a world
where sex sells and is on people's minds a lot of the time to watch the sexual deviants for life. And before any-
one cries, it's not his fault! It is, there are taboos. Anyone knows what's right and what's wrong.

$3M will afford this man a lot of good things or bad things.

If we see him in the news again for related crimes, we will know his rehabilitation and punishment
did nothing for him. I have little faith in a system that puts people on a watch list and requires
them to register with police depts. and stay a certain distance away from schools. They'll get what they want
no matter what. The punishments do not fit the crimes which is incentive to try and get away with more of the
same. IMO, the USA has failed miserably with its criminal justice system. His victims should be awarded the
money. But since he's already 'paid his dues' in jail time, there are some that would say move on. BS.

I can't imagine what a 9 year old child would carry with him the rest of his life due to a monster of society who
used him because he was a coward who had a misplaced sense of power and took advantage of him for his own
sick needs.

I'd most likely be the one in jail because I'd try everything possible to make sure he never touched a child again.

Some countries barbarianism might suit the US just fine - an eye for an eye, etc...removing the offending part
would certainly be just in this case. There should be no rights to anything once you've crossed certain lines.

In total agreement.  Ive seen predators walk and it sickens your heart. With $ at his disposal I dont think he ll be giving any to St. Jude.

Deviates with money equal a bad combination .

BuyLow's avatarBuyLow

He is now being sued by some of his victims. Lets see what happens....If nothing else I bet they are just trying to get him to burn thru the lions share of his winnings in attorneys fees.

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

Quote: Originally posted by BuyLow on Dec 24, 2014

He is now being sued by some of his victims. Lets see what happens....If nothing else I bet they are just trying to get him to burn thru the lions share of his winnings in attorneys fees.

Good for them.

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by BuyLow on Dec 24, 2014

He is now being sued by some of his victims. Lets see what happens....If nothing else I bet they are just trying to get him to burn thru the lions share of his winnings in attorneys fees.

Poole pleaded guilty in 2002 to sexual battery of two boys.

The story doesn't say if one of them was the 9-year-old from the 2001 Orange County charge.

"If nothing else I bet they are just trying to get him to burn thru the lions share of his winnings in attorneys fees."

Does it really make any sense for the victims to sue him so they can watch a bunch of lawyers get rich?

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