Roanoke Rapids has a new multimillionaire in its midst. Halifax County resident Richard Kee Jr. has been publicly named this week as the winner holding the $209.3 million Powerball ticket drawn on Jan. 21. Kee claimed the ticket at lottery headquarters in Raleigh on Jan. 22, then quietly stayed under the radar during a 90-day anonymity period that expired this month. He chose the lump-sum payout and will receive about $68.6 million after required taxes and withholdings.
The winning ticket and payout choice
The lone winning ticket matched all six numbers in the Jan. 21 drawing, which were 11, 26, 27, 53 and 55, with a Powerball of 12, for an advertised jackpot of $209.3 million, according to Powerball. The winner had two options: an annuity of $209.3 million paid over 30 installments, or a one-time cash option estimated at about $95.3 million. The ticket holder went with the cash. After federal and state withholdings, the payout comes to roughly $68.6 million, per that release.
Winner named after anonymity period
The NC Education Lottery this week identified the winner as Richard Kee Jr. of Roanoke Rapids, officially ending the 90-day confidentiality period. As reported by WRAL, Kee claimed the prize in January but kept his name out of the headlines until lottery officials were allowed to release it.
Where the ticket was sold and the retailer bonus
The winning ticket was sold at West 10th Mart on West 10th Street in Roanoke Rapids, a stop that suddenly became one of the hottest spots in Halifax County. For selling the jackpot ticket, the store will receive a $50,000 retailer bonus. The sale briefly thrust both the small business and the surrounding community into the statewide spotlight. WSOC notes that this drawing marked only the sixth time a Powerball jackpot has been sold in North Carolina.
How claiming and anonymity work in North Carolina
Under North Carolina law, lottery winners of $50 million or more can keep their identities confidential for up to 90 days after claiming a prize, according to the NC Education Lottery. Big prizes must be claimed in person at lottery headquarters or a regional office. The process requires winners to sign the ticket and present identification along with tax documentation, and prizes above certain thresholds are routed through Raleigh headquarters for secure processing and payment. The rules are designed to protect winners while officials verify tickets and complete all required checks.
State context
This $209.3 million jackpot ranks as the second-largest lottery prize in North Carolina history. The top spot belongs to a share of a $564.1 million Powerball drawing from February 2015 that was split among multiple ticket holders, according to ABC News. Lottery officials say jackpots like this are a reminder that a $2 ticket can sometimes turn into a truly life-changing windfall.
What happens next
Lottery officials say all routine security checks and payment steps are complete and that the winner has access to resources and guidance as part of the claim process. They have not shared any details about Kee's personal plans for the money. Local leaders and the retailer had not announced any public celebrations as of the lottery's latest update. For now, Roanoke Rapids holds a fresh claim to fame as the town where one of North Carolina's biggest winning tickets was sold.
