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Authorities announce bail set for Hearne woman accused of stealing winning lottery ticket

Authorities announce bail set for Hearne woman accused of stealing winning lottery ticket

HEARNE, Texas (KBTX) – A Hearne woman accused of fraudulently purchasing $5 million worth of Texas Lottery scratch-off tickets has been released from jail.

Arthurica Jackson was arrested last week by Hearne police on fraud and theft charges and booked into the Robertson County jail.

KBTX confirmed Monday that Robertson County District Judge of the Peace 2 Judge Ramona Aguirre listed the proposed bond amounts at $1.5 million for each charge; This total was $3 million, which some in the community felt was too high after the proposed bond amount was shared. on the county’s online jail list.

Then Justice of the Peace District 4 Judge Frederick Webber set the bonds at a reduced amount: 150,000 for each charge, for a total of $300,000.

Jackson has since been released from prison.

Last week, Hearne Police and state lottery officials said an investigation revealed Jackson may have obtained the winnings through fraudulent activity and that their investigation led to the arrest and charges including Lottery Prize Fraud >$10K and Theft of Property >=$300K .

Hearne police did not release any other details, but multiple sources said Jackson was an employee of the QuickPump store on S. Market Street where the winning ticket was purchased.

The winning ticket was a $50 “Deluxe” scratch card game.

On Friday, November 15, the Texas Lottery Commission confirmed to KBTX that the police department is conducting a criminal investigation in connection with the winning ticket and that the state agency is assisting with the case.

“As this is an open, pending investigation and is not directly under the jurisdiction of the Texas Lottery Commission, we are unable to comment further,” said Texas Lottery Commission Media Relations Division Director Steve Helm.