A lottery winner has been jailed after he used his prize money to fund a crystal meth drug empire. Ronnie Music Jr scooped $3 million from a scratch card which he used to set up a Breaking-Bad style enterprise, reports the Daily Star.
He won the fortune in 2015 after buying the lucky ticket at a petrol station. Music told the media at the time of his jackpot victory that he and his wife would resist splurging it on a lavish lifestyle.
He said: “I buy tickets every once in a while. I couldn’t believe it, and I still don’t believe it yet.”
However, the lotto winner had a dark past, which would soon catch-up to him not long after his big money win. Three years prior to landing the cash, Music had been released from prison for running a meth lab and possessing an illegal gun.
Following his fortunate piece of luck, the ex-convict was allegedly reached out to by his former criminal associates upon hearing the news. Music then formed a meth empire much like that of fictional character, Walter White, in the hit Netflix show.
He then revoked on his earlier promise to live a low-key lifestyle with his partner and splurged on a lavish new home, cars and jewellery. The millionaire also invested cash into his old business which ground to a halt when his dealers were busted selling half a million dollars worth of meth.
Officials then quickly traced their illegal activity back to Music, whose property was subsequently raided . Upon undergoing a search, police then seized more than $1m (£800,000) worth of meth, a collection of guns and bullets.
They also took the drug lord's cars and more than $600,000 (£300,000) in cash found at his house. US Attorney Ed Tarver said: “Defendant Music decided to test his luck by sinking millions of dollars of lottery winnings into the purchase and sale of crystal meth."
Meanwhile, Judge Lisa Godbey Wood said: “Nobody has ever blown lottery winnings in a more dangerous and destructive way than you did.” For his crimes, Music was jailed for 21 years.
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