Store Clerk Facing Extortion Charges in $3M Lottery Fraud Case Goes on Lam

A Massachusetts store clerk charged with extortion for his role in the theft of a $3 million lottery ticket is now a fugitive from justice after he failed to show up in court Monday.

A Plymouth County Superior Court judge has issued a warrant for the arrest of Joseph Reddem, of Raynham, Mass. He was allegedly involved in a plot to cash in a stolen lottery ticket and attempted to extort money from his co-conspirator.

Reddem, 33, worked as a clerk at the store formerly known as Savas Liquors in Lakeville, Mass., along with Carly Nunes, 24, who pleaded guilty in February to stealing the ticket.

Oblivious Winner

In January 2023, Nunes was working the checkout when a customer entered to purchase a bag of potato chips and two quick picks for the Mega Millions draw. He grabbed his chips but left his lottery tickets in the tray at the checkout counter.

They were subsequently fished out by Nunes.

The victim later told investigators he briefly searched for his tickets when he got home, couldn’t find them, and gave the matter no more thought. He was oblivious to the fact that he hit the jackpot that night.

Two days later, Nunes, her boyfriend, and Jeddem turned up at the Massachusetts State Lottery HQ in Dorchester to cash the ticket.

A criminal investigation was launched and security video from Savas Liquors showed that Nunes wasn’t the real winner.

Real Winner Found

Nunes was indicted on June 12, 2023, on multiple charges of larceny and fraud, and was arrested on a warrant two weeks later. She ultimately pleaded guilty to one of those charges – presentation of a false claim. She was sentenced to two years’ probation with the requirement that she continue treatment for substance abuse.

He said he wished Nunes the best and would “pray good things come her way.”

Reddem remains at large.