Lottery Scam Targets Elderly Americans: Alleged Mastermind Pleads Guilty

BISMARCK, ND — A Jamaican man pleaded guilty to conspiracy in a lottery scam he's accused of spearheading that defrauded dozens of mostly elderly Americans out of millions of dollars.

Lavrick Willocks, 28, reached a deal with federal prosecutors in North Dakota and appeared in court Thursday to enter his plea. Prosecutors dropped 65 counts of fraud and money laundering.

Willocks faces up to four decades in prison. He's more likely to get about 10 years because he cooperated with authorities. The government also will recommend that he pay restitution. Sentencing wasn't immediately scheduled. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Fourteen other people are charged in the case. One of them reached a plea deal with prosecutors Wednesday. Assistant U.S. Attorney Clare Hochhalter says he's hopeful there will be more plea deals reached.

Photo credit: Burleigh County Sheriff's Department via AP