September 5, 2025

Three Arrested for Lottery Fraud in South Carolina

South Carolina, September 5, 2025

News Summary

Three individuals have been arrested in South Carolina for engaging in lottery fraud through the use of counterfeit game tickets. The arrests were made as the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division responded to fraudulent activities linked to heightened lottery excitement. The accused include Luke Michael Nickles, Franklin Alfonso Grant Jr., and Alexandria Renee Talley, who have faced serious charges due to their actions involving theft and the use of counterfeit tickets.

Dorchester County, South Carolina — Three individuals have been arrested for lottery fraud as investigations revealed separate incidents tied to counterfeit game tickets, coinciding with a record-breaking Powerball payout. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) announced the arrests on Friday, drawing attention to the serious risks of fraudulent activity during times when lottery excitement heightens.

Luke Michael Nickles was the first individual arrested on September 3 and faces charges for intent to defraud utilizing counterfeit game tickets. His fraudulent activity took place at a convenience store in Boiling Springs, South Carolina, where he was employed. Between August 9 and August 11, Nickles was caught on surveillance cameras stealing South Carolina Education Lottery tickets from the store. He later attempted to cash in on these stolen tickets. He is presently being held at Spartanburg County Detention Center and will be prosecuted by the Seventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

Franklin Alfonso Grant Jr. followed closely, with his arrest occurring on August 22. He is also charged with intent to defraud with counterfeit lottery tickets. Grant allegedly attempted to redeem two lottery tickets at Dorchester Mini Mart in North Charleston on June 26. Investigators report that he used images of legitimate tickets owned by a victim, without consent, to retrieve cash prizes totaling $790. Grant currently remains detained at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center in Charleston County; prosecution will occur through the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

Meanwhile, Alexandria Renee Talley was arrested on August 25 for similar charges, including intent to defraud and attempt to influence a game by coercion. Her actions involved the theft of instant scratch-off tickets at Carter’s Fast Stop #3 in Ridgeville from July 14 to July 17. Evidence collected from security footage showed Talley attempting to cash in the stolen tickets. She is housed at the Dorchester County Detention Center and will be prosecuted by the First Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

The investigations into these fraudulent activities were prompted by alerts from the South Carolina Education Lottery. Such incidents highlight the importance of vigilance as the Powerball prize reaches new heights, drawing greater public attention and potential for illegal activities related to the lottery.

Understanding Lottery Fraud

Lottery fraud can take many forms, often involving the use of counterfeit tickets or theft of legitimate tickets to secure winnings unlawfully. As lottery payouts increase, it becomes essential for agencies like SLED and the South Carolina Education Lottery to monitor and investigate suspicious activities closely. These recent arrests serve as a reminder of the consequences of attempting to defraud the system.

Consequences of Lottery Fraud

Individuals involved in lottery fraud face serious legal repercussions, including significant fines and potential imprisonment. The ongoing investigations reaffirm the commitment of law enforcement to uphold the integrity of the lottery system and protect consumers from fraudulent schemes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What charges are the individuals facing?

All three individuals are facing charges of intent to defraud using counterfeit game tickets. Alexandria Talley faces additional charges for attempting to influence a game by coercion.

How did law enforcement become aware of these fraud cases?

The South Carolina Education Lottery prompted investigations due to suspicions of fraudulent activities linked to multiple lottery tickets.

What actions were taken against the three suspects?

All three individuals have been arrested and are being held until they face prosecution through their respective circuit solicitor’s offices.

When did these incidents occur?

The incidents occurred between July and September 2023, with the arrests taking place in August and September.

Key Features of the Lottery Fraud Cases

Individual	Date of Arrest	Charges	Location of Crime	Key Details	Current Detention Center
Luke Michael Nickles	September 3	Intent to defraud, Counterfeit tickets	Boiling Springs	Stole tickets while employed; cashing-in	Spartanburg County Detention Center
Franklin Alfonso Grant Jr.	August 22	Intent to defraud, Counterfeit tickets	North Charleston	Redeemed victim’s tickets without permission	Al Cannon Detention Center, Charleston County
Alexandria Renee Talley	August 25	Intent to defraud, Coercion	Ridgeville	Stole scratch-off tickets; caught on camera	Dorchester County Detention Center

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER

The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.

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