PHOTOS, VIDEO: State lottery reveals man who won $177 million

Eliberto L. Cantu
Eliberto L. Cantu

An out-of-state man is the winner of the biggest jackpot in the history of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.

Lottery officials said Monday that Eliberto Cantu, 71 of Lubbock, Texas, won the $177 million Mega Millions prize off a ticket bought last month in Stuttgart.

The Cantus chose to take the lump sum, meaning they will receive a check for nearly $73 million, Lottery Director Bishop Woosley said.

Cantu, his 67-year-old wife, Anita, and his son Rodrigo appeared at a news conference Monday afternoon at the Union Plaza Building in downtown Little Rock.

Rodrigo Cantu, who spoke on behalf of the couple, said his parents plan to spend the winnings on family, rebuilding two churches in Texas and for travel.

"They still don't believe it. It was definitely a blessing," the son told reporters of the prize.

The ticket was purchased by Eliberto Cantu — a construction worker for some 50 years, his son said — before work March 30 at One Stop Valero on East 22nd Street in Stuttgart. The store will receive a $50,000 commission.

Rodrigo Cantu said he and his father went back to the gas station days after the winning numbers — 17, 24, 27, 32 and 58 with a Mega Ball of 10 — were announced.

The same clerk who sold him the ticket was working and they asked her if anyone at the business had heard who the winner was.

"She said they thought they knew pretty much who it was, and my dad said 'no, they're wrong, I bought it Thursday morning at 6:30," Rodrigo Cantu said. "And she said 'oh that's funny.' And he said 'you're looking at the winner.' She didn't believe him, so I showed her a picture of the ticket. And she immediately started crying."

The family gave the clerk some money, Rodrigo Cantu said, and also asked her not to reveal any details about who won.

Rodrigo Cantu said the family spent the last two-and-a-half weeks getting ready to claim the massive prize, including consulting with lawyers and financial planners and even scouting downtown Little Rock banks to determine where to take the check after it was handed over.

He said his parents are longtime lottery players who once bought $180 worth of tickets and didn't win anything.

"I'm sure they'll keep playing," Rodrigo Cantu said. "You can't break a 30-year-old habit."

Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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