Two Mississippi men attempted to scam the state lottery commission by submitting a losing ticket that had the winning numbers glued onto it, police said.
Odis Latham, 84, and Russell Sparks, (**************************************, both of Columbus, were arrested Monday and charged with uttering counterfeit instrument over $ 1, and conspiracy offenses, Flowood Police Sgt. Adam Nelson said. Latham was also charged with false identification information.
The state lottery commission called Flowood police about the fake ticket about 9: am Monday, Nelson said.
Lottery officials told police the men presented an altered $ 100, a ticket that appeared to have the winning numbers glued onto it. The ticket was signed and presented to the commission for payment, police said.
The state lottery commission did not immediately return a request for comment.
The men are being held at Rankin County Jail and have entered not guilty pleas, police said. Latham is being held on $ (****************************************, bond and sparks on $ (**********************************, bond. Sparks is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday. It is unclear if they have attorneys.
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Janelle Griffith is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.
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