Pedro Quezada claimed the fourth-largest Powerball jackpot in history on Tuesday – and now the Passaic County Probation Department wants a slice.
The 44-year-old former bodega owner owes $29,000 in child support and has an outstanding warrant in his name, according to a statement issued by Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik.
Quezada pulled the lucky numbers to rake in the $338 million jackpot.
“The Sheriff’s Office Warrant Squad is attempting to notify Mr. Quezada about the issue in an effort to have it resolved in a timely manner,” the statement read. “Because of Mr. Quezada’s large winnings, generally the New Jersey Division of Lottery would satisfy the judgment before all of the winnings are released.”
The lottery winner “is subject to potential arrest” until he satisfies the warrant, according to the sheriff’s statement.
A father of five and native of the Dominican Republic, Quezada said at a press conference Tuesday that much of his newfound pile would go to his family. It's not clear how his child support payments might change to reflect his winnings.
“My family is a very humble family and we’re going to help each other out,” the freshly minted millionaire said as he was presented with a giant yellow check.
The New Jersey man turned in his lucky ticket at Eagle Liquor in his home town of Passaic. He often went to the store after work to grab a couple of beers.
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