ARIMO — Two former convenience store employees have been accused of stealing between $5,000 and $8,000 of lottery tickets from the ‘Hitt the Road’ in Arimo.
Jimmy Albert Welton, 54, has been charged with one count of grand theft and four counts of illegally obtaining lottery tickets.
Dwana Faye Campbell, 44, has been charged with one count of grand theft.
Court documents state that on December 6, 2023, officers responded to reports of a theft. The store owner had filed a report claiming that Campbell had stolen more than $5,000 in Idaho lottery tickets. The manager told law enforcement officers she believed the amount to be between $5,000 and $8,000.
The owner originally made a deal with Campbell to repay the stolen amount in monthly payments of $300, according to court records, but when he overheard Campbell speaking about a new job in Texas, he became concerned that she would run away without paying back the stolen amount.
When speaking with officers, Campbell allegedly confirmed she made the agreement with the owner, and that she had confessed to the theft. Documents state that as part of the agreement, the owner originally did not intend to contact law enforcement.
On January 29, 2024, documents say officers received a second call from the Hitt the Road in Arimo, alleging that Welton had also stolen lottery tickets.
Welton told deputies he paid for every lottery ticket he took. Law enforcement officers challenged his claim and allegedly had video evidence of him scratching and scanning tickets without ever buying them. Welton responded that he paid for them all at once at the end of his shift. His claim did not align with the Lottery Commission’s findings.
If found guilty, Welton could serve up to 34 years in prison and pay up to $105,000 in fines. If Campbell is convicted, she could serve up to 14 years in prison and pay a fine of up to $5,000.
Welton’s preliminary hearing is set for July 16 at 2:15 p.m. with Magistrate Judge Aaron N. Thompson.
Campbell’s sentencing is set for July 15th at 9:30 a.m. with Magistrate Judge Javier Gabiola.
Though Welton and Campbell have been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean they committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
