Convicted sex offender wins Alaska lottery

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- An Alaskan lottery organizer says a convicted sex offender has won a $500,000 statewide jackpot aimed at helping sexual abuse victims.

Lucky Times Pull Tabs owner Abe Spicola said the drawing won by convicted sex offender Alec Ahsoak was organized to help a non-profit group that aids sexual abuse victims, the Anchorage Daily News reported Sunday.

Spicola said Ahsoak, 53, picked up his winnings Saturday and offered brief details on what he plans to do with his new-found wealth.

"He said he was going to buy a house and said he was going to donate part of it to God, and you know, charity," the lottery organizer said.

The Alaskan sex offender registry shows Ahsoak was convicted in 1993 and in 2000 on counts of sexual abuse of a minor.

Becky Beck, a board member for the Standing Together Against Rape group that took part in the lottery, told the Daily News she was hopeful Ahsoak's past would not compromise the lottery's good intentions.