N.J. Powerball lottery winner charged in child sex assaults

Sep 20, 2017, 7:09 pm (37 comments)

Powerball

By Todd Northrop

A Wayne, New Jersey, man who won $338 million in one of the largest Powerball lottery jackpots in New Jersey history has been charged with repeatedly sexually assaulting a child over a three-year period, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Pedro Quezada, 49, is charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, two counts of second-degree sexual assault and one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, according to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes.

The female victim was sexually assaulted between the ages of 11 and 14 when Quezada lived in Passaic, Valdes said in a statement.

Quezada won $338 million in 2013, telling reporters of his daily ritual of buying one lottery ticket and two ice cold Corona beers.

Lottery officials said Quezada took a $211 million lump-sum payout that dropped to $152 million after taxes.

In an interview four years ago, Quezada, a former bodega owner, said he had mixed feelings about winning the lottery.

"(When I found out I had the winning ticket), I felt pure joy and happiness because I can help my family," he said on March 26, 2013, when he officially claimed the prize at New Jersey lottery headquarters.

"My life will change because of it — so much money," Quezada said, "but it will not change my heart."

(See N.J. man claims $338 million Powerball jackpot [Includes press conference video], Lottery Post, Mar. 26, 2013.)

After the happy day, events quickly turned sour.

Within days of claiming his prize, authorities said that Quezada owed tens of thousands in unpaid child support. Threatened with arrest, he immediately paid it off.

Also, soon after winning, Quezada offered to pay the rent of all the neighbors on his block. Later, he was accused of reneging on that promise.

Eight months after his win, Quezada's former live-in girlfriend took him to court for not sharing the jackpot. The suit was later dropped after the two agreed to a settlement.  Later the two decided to reconcile.

Before winning the lottery, Quezada worked at a bodega in New Jersey after coming to the United States from the Dominican Republic as a teenager. At the time, it was reported that he had five children.

He bought lottery tickets daily at Eagle Liquor in Passaic.

If convicted on the current child sex charges, Quezada faces 40 years in prison and be required to register as a sex offender, the prosecutor said. The first charge alone (first-degree aggravated sexual assault) carries a maximum term of twenty years in New Jersey State Prison.

Fortunately, Valdes also said that it appears there are no other victims at this time.

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Lottery Post Staff

Comments

Artist77's avatarArtist77

I remember Pedro! Didn't he promise to help relatives somewhere?  Never pegged him for a predator. He has aged quite a bit.

Bleudog101

Father time has not been kind to him.  Too bad they couldn't use any money left over to pay for his prison time.

 

Todd would ban me if I said what I'd like to say.  Suffice it to say you bait with something and they'll get you every time.

JoeBigLotto's avatarJoeBigLotto

I accurately predicted he will end up in Jail like OJ because he is stupid and waits till the last minute to do the right thing. I said he was like the fat guy in the blues Brothers movie running from the law and just waiting to be locked up. But am surprised he made it thru four years I expected two years . Well it took longer for his crimes to be reported and processed this is really sad. And I also predicted people in Dominican republic will be spending his money for him and call him another crazy Yankee.No Pity!

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

I wonder if this transpired after or prior to his winning lottery moment ?

All that money won't help him if there is a conviction on just one of the felonies.

wander73's avatarwander73

I remember him.  Although I could have sworn there was another winner who fled to Mexico for making out with $110000.

lejardin's avatarlejardin

Quote: Originally posted by Artist77 on Sep 20, 2017

I remember Pedro! Didn't he promise to help relatives somewhere?  Never pegged him for a predator. He has aged quite a bit.

Me too, I remember him also.  Didnt he flee to the Dominican Republic with all his money leaving the girlfriend?

He sure has changed A LOT in 4 years.

I would think winning the lottery would allow you to pay off back child support and any bills would be a relief. 

Child sex assaults, throw the key away, what a sicko.

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Quote: Originally posted by lejardin on Sep 20, 2017

Me too, I remember him also.  Didnt he flee to the Dominican Republic with all his money leaving the girlfriend?

He sure has changed A LOT in 4 years.

I would think winning the lottery would allow you to pay off back child support and any bills would be a relief. 

Child sex assaults, throw the key away, what a sicko.

I wonder from a psych 101 perspective, if he committed the crimes after the win? The I am God syndrome and can get away with anything.

JoeBigLotto's avatarJoeBigLotto

He will most likely take a plea deal and spend 10 yrs in Jail and out in seven yrs with probation. But however I also do think he may not make it out of jail alive due to bad health. Am not wishing him bad luck but think about it if he looks this terrible with $330 million dollars what will he be like in Jail not looking good . If this crime was committed before he won the lottery then this may be extortion plot but if he committed this after he won then I think he will go to jail for ten yrs and may only survive 5yrs . Am reading all this from my mind so let's put this information in a time capsule lol

weshar75's avatarweshar75

He will probably die in prison if he is not protected bye the guards in state prison.  Especially if he is in general population he will get beat down.-weshar75

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rcbbuckeye's avatarrcbbuckeye

Child molesters, child rapists, are not looked upon too kindly by fellow inmates.

Bubba is gonna have his way with him.

eddessaknight's avatareddessaknight

Quote: Originally posted by weshar75 on Sep 20, 2017

He will probably die in prison if he is not protected bye the guards in state prison.  Especially if he is in general population he will get beat down.-weshar75

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Additionally to max sentencing, If he is legally here & aside of restitution- he should be minimally required pay all court, legal fees and jail upkeep fees......and not the public

Raven62's avatarRaven62

Just Think: If he had Claimed His Jackpot Anonymously: You Wouldn't be Reading this News Story Now!

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Quote: Originally posted by Raven62 on Sep 21, 2017

Just Think: If he had Claimed His Jackpot Anonymously: You Wouldn't be Reading this News Story Now!

Skeptical one can only wonder what would come to light,if he had or could've claimed it anonymously

music*'s avatarmusic*

A quote from a lottery video, "Winning the lottery does not build character it reveals character."

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