A Jonesboro woman faces multiple felony charges after authorities accused her of stealing lottery tickets from her former employer and using them for personal gain.
Special Judge Barbara Halsey found probable cause on Wednesday to charge 22-year-old Allison Nancy Williams with lottery fraud and theft of property valued between $1,000 and $5,000. Both charges are Class D felonies under Arkansas law.
According to court documents, Williams worked at Maverik, a convenience store located at 3920 Southwest Drive in Jonesboro, before being fired. Police allege that Williams removed 64 lottery tickets, valued at $1,280, from the store’s dispensers and played them.
Store management contacted authorities on September 9, providing a police officer with documentation and photographs that reportedly depicted Williams engaging in the alleged theft.
“During a subsequent interview with an investigator, Williams admitted to taking the lottery tickets, playing them, and discarding the losing tickets in the trash,” the affidavit states. “She stated she processed winning tickets normally, placed the ticket in the drawer, and pocketed the winnings.”
Williams allegedly admitted to winning $150 during the scheme.
Williams is being held in the Craighead County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond pending further legal proceedings.