A South Carolina man is facing criminal charges after authorities say he allegedly took lottery scratch-off tickets during a job interview at a gas station and later attempted to cash them at multiple businesses.
Antonio Levon Ricardo Stewart, 36, was arrested on Aug. 25 in connection with the alleged incident, which reportedly happened more than a year earlier. He has been charged with three counts related to intent to defraud involving counterfeit game tickets.
Lottery Tickets Allegedly Taken During Job Interview
According to arrest documents, Stewart was at a Murphy USA gas station in Florence, South Carolina, on May 6, 2025, for a job interview when he allegedly took a pack of South Carolina Education Lottery scratch-off tickets.
Investigators say surveillance footage captured the alleged theft.
The lottery tickets were reportedly later taken to other businesses in the Florence area, where Stewart allegedly attempted to redeem tickets from the stolen pack.
One Ticket Reportedly Won $5
Authorities allege that Stewart tried to redeem tickets at three different local stores after taking them from the gas station.
One of the tickets was reportedly successfully redeemed, resulting in a $5 cash prize. The other attempts were part of the investigation that eventually led authorities to Stewart.
A warrant for his arrest was issued later in May 2025, according to authorities.
The case was investigated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division after the South Carolina Education Lottery requested an investigation.
Man Booked Following Arrest
Stewart was arrested on Aug. 25, 2026, more than a year after the alleged lottery ticket theft. He was subsequently booked into the Florence County Detention Center.
He faces three counts of intent to defraud involving counterfeit game tickets.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and an accusation or criminal charge does not establish guilt.
