SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Husband and Wife Arrested on Charges Surrounding Theft of $243,000.00 in Florida Lottery Scratch-Off Tickets

Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Investigators, in conjunction with investigators from the Department of the Florida Lottery, have arrested a husband and wife on charges surrounding the theft of over $243,000.00 in Florida Lottery Scratch-Off Tickets. The theft occurred from Florida Lottery Retailer “The Local Yokel” located at 5190 Ward Basin Road in Milton , Florida . The female suspect, identified as Michelle Despain, was employed as a clerk at the Local Yokel from September 09, 2000 to January 07, 2008 . The investigation revealed that Michelle Despain had stolen complete books of lottery tickets from the establishment and claimed the winning tickets, along with her husband, to obtain cash in an amount over $187,000.00. The winning tickets had been claimed at various locations in Escambia County, FL, and Orlando , FL , during a family vacation.

The investigation also revealed that Michelle Despain would take the books of lottery tickets back to here residence in Daphne, Alabama , where she, along with her husband, Raymond Despain, would allegedly scratch the tickets to reveal the winning tickets. The winning tickets would be then taken to one of three Circle K Stores located within Escambia County Florida for redemption of cash. These stores are located at 2205 W. Nine Mile Rd , Pensacola , 4615 Mobile Highway Pensacola , and 2200 US Highway 29 S Cantonment.

Investigators believe that the Despain's have been conducting this same type of activity for at least three (3) years. At this point in the investigation, investigators have only determined the crimes that had occurred in 2007. Investigators expect to reveal more stolen monies.

The Local Yokel suffered a loss in excess of $243,000 as a result of the theft of the Lottery Books.

The Florida Lottery is also a victim of theft due to the amount of winnings obtained by the Despain's through their dealing in stolen lottery tickets to obtain the amount of cash exceeding $187,000.00.

Both Raymond and Michelle Despain were arrested last night at the Santa Rosa County Jail on the below mentioned charges. A judge set bond at $50,000.00 each. Photographs of the Despain's are attached to this email.

SUSPECT #1:

Raymond S. Despain, W/M, 33 years old

27000 Block of Rileywood Drive , Daphne , AL

Charges:

Conspiracy to Commit Grand Theft

Scheming to Defraud

Organized Dealing in Stolen Property

Filing a False Lottery Claim

SUSPECT #2:

Michelle Joan Despain, W/F, 35 years old

27000 Block of Rileywood Drive , Daphne , AL

Charges:

Grand Theft over $100,000.00

Organized Dealing in Stolen Property

Scheming to Defraud

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

(850) 981-2136 or shaines@srso.net