Timothy Dale Poole, a convicted sex offender, has won $3 million in the Florida lottery.
The 43-year-old was arrested in 1999 and accused of sexual battery on a 9-year-old. He eventually pled guilty to attempted sexual battery in a plea bargain and is currently listed as a sex predator in state records, ClickOrlando reports.
Poole was sentenced to 13 months in jail and 10 years of probation, but was sent to prison for 3 years when he missed his mandatory sex offender counseling sessions, the website said.
The Orlando Sentinel reports that Poole's name and photo were initially on the lottery's website, where winners are publicized, but both were later removed.
"We chose to not draw additional attention to this particular winner," Shelly Gerteisen, communications manager for the Florida Lottery, told the paper.
The paper says Poole won the $3 million in the state lottery's Super Millions scratch-off game, electing to receive the money in the form of a one-time lump-sum payment of $2,219,807.90.
On the Florida website for registered sex offenders, Poole's status is listed as "Released -- Subject to Registration" which the state describes as:
"No longer under any form of confinement, supervision or any other court imposed sanction. Still required to register in accordance with Florida law."
Poole is described as 6 feet tall and 450 pounds, and lives in the town of Mount Dora, about 30 miles northwest of Orlando.
The Sentinel said he's been arrested 12 times on charges that include grand theft and forging a check. The paper says he also served 3 months in prison in 1996.
He has been trying to avoid the media spotlight; however, a friend who was with him when he won spoke to the local CBS affiliate.
"He was flabbergasted. He couldn't believe it," Floyd Snyder told the station, saying Poole intends to use some of the money to expand his mother's taxi business.
"He's a very positive person. Very kind. Giving. I think that's why he won," Snyder said. "It's Christmastime, and the dude deserves a break."
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