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Powerball winner owes thousands in child support

By GABRIELLE LEVY, UPI.com

The New Jersey man who walked away as the sole winner of the fourth-largest Powerball jackpot in history has at least one outstanding debt he'll need to pay off right away.

The day after Pedro Quezada, 44, claimed his lump-sum winnings of $211 million, Passaic County Sheriff's Department alerted him to his outstanding debt of about $29,000 in child support payments.

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According to the North Jersey Record, police have not been able to contact Quezada, who is the father of five children.

"Because of Mr. Quezada's large winnings, generally the New Jersey Division of Lottery would satisfy the judgement before all of the winnings are released," said Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik. "Like everyone else, until this warrant is satisfied, Mr. Quezada is subject to potential arrest."

Police told the Record Quezada's unpaid child support goes back to 2009.

Although Quezada declined to speak in detail about his family's past hardships, the bodega he and his eldest son operated was hit by both fire and foreclosure.

On Wednesday, the shop, the Apple Deli & Grocery, was up for sale.

Neighbors said they spotted Quezada and his wife, Ines Sanchez, leaving their two-bedroom apartment carrying clothes, although they weren't sure if the family had moved out for good. The landlord said the 1,000-square-foot apartment, rented month-to-month, is paid through the end of March.

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“They probably left, and left the furniture in there. I would do that,” said Woody Solemini, the brother of the building owner. "God bless them both."

News reports said some of Quezada's children live in North Carolina, but it's not clear which are involved in the outstanding debt. Quezada moved the the U.S. from the Dominican Republic 26 years ago.

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