Sumter man’s $500K tire-shop hunch, $200K scream win and 3 SC lottery fraud arrests
Recent South Carolina Education Lottery news has swung between big payouts in Sumter and a string of fraud arrests across the state. Two Midlands players cashed in major scratch-off prizes while authorities charged three people in separate ticket-theft cases.
Here are key takeaways:
• $500,000 tire-shop hunch: A Midlands man stopped for lottery tickets after buying new tires and won the $500,000 grand prize on a $10 Winning Spree scratch-off at Sumter Stop on South Guignard Drive, according to The State. He overcame 1.2-million-to-1 odds and said he plans to save the money for retirement.
• $1,000 win, then $200,000: A Midlands woman who won $1,000 bought another ticket and hit the $200,000 grand prize on a $5 Star Power game at Quick Corner on West Liberty Street in Sumter, The State reported. She screamed when she realized the second win.
• Florence burglary and ticket cash-in: John Marquell Bunyon, 31, of Forsyth, Georgia, was charged April 24 with intent to defraud after burglarizing a Piggly Wiggly in Florence, stealing lottery tickets and redeeming four winners for $80 at a nearby gas station, SLED told The State. Total bond was set at $32,000.
• Anderson store clerk charged: Kahlessa Marie Williams, 19, was charged with lottery fraud after surveillance video showed her taking scratch-offs from a dispenser at the Stop-A-Minit on Pearman Dairy Road where she worked and cashing them in, SLED said.
• Aiken County case: John Benjamin Martin, 37, was charged March 31 with four counts of intent to defraud after passing stolen lottery tickets at Mo’s Convenience Store on Sand Bar Ferry Road in November and December 2025, according to SLED.
• SC seniors lost $41 million to scams: South Carolinians over 60 filed 7,524 fraud reports in 2025 with total losses near $41 million, ranking the state 20th nationally, a MADX Digital study using FTC data found. Typical loss per victim was $1,233.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.