Roanoke Rapids man wins $209.3 million Powerball jackpot

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Halifax County man is the lucky winner of a massive Powerball jackpot.

Richard Kee Jr. of Roanoke Rapids bought a $2 Powerball ticket on Jan. 21, and it turned into a $209.3 million win, the North Carolina Education Lottery said.

The prize is the second largest lottery jackpot ever won in North Carolina. Kee chose to remain anonymous for 90 days, which state law allows for lottery prizes of $50 million or more.

Kee purchased the winning ticket at West 10th Mart on West 10th Street in Roanoke Rapids. The store received a $50,000 bonus for selling the jackpot winning ticket.

When Kee claimed the prize on Jan. 22, he had two options: the full $209.3 million paid out over nearly 30 years, or a one time lump sum of $95.3 million.

Kee chose the lump sum and, after federal and state taxes were withheld, took home about $68.6 million.