REPUBLIC, Mo. -- The odds are often stacked against you but, every week, a select few gain access to an elite club of lottery winners.
"It is a life changing experience, there is no question about it," said Gary DeHaven.
DeHaven won the Powerball Jackpot seven years ago. He bought his ticket at a supermarket in Republic. To this day, he remembers the winning numbers.
"It was 22, 5, 5, 10, 12, 12, 25, 25 and at the very bottom was match all six for $1.4 million."
DeHaven says he supports new legislation that would divert lottery prize money to pay off a winner's county jail debts.
"If they complain that they have to pay their past bill, it is like the old farmer expression: that is speaking with your mouth full. They owe it."
What those people owe has a dramatic effect on the bottom line for county jails. Lawrence County has close to $500,000 in unpaid board bills from former prisoners.
"We have to figure out how to pay for it and take care of it. Essentially the taxpayers are having to pay for those bills until we get reimbursement," said Lawrence County Sheriff Brad DeLay.
DeLay is one of several Missouri sheriffs who met with a House committee and brought the idea to the table.
"It always seems a lot of these people who have been in trouble can sometimes win the lottery. They seem to have a lot of luck, it seems like," he said.
DeHaven hopes this proposal is a lucky one, because, whether it is the lottery or a county budget, it is all about the numbers.
"I figure I am ahead. I do not play all the time. I have high hopes that this is going to go right through."
DeLay says latching on to lottery winnings and tax refunds would only apply to people convicted of a crime. DeHaven's winnings would not be affected.
The Missouri Sheriffs Association says there is about $3 million in unpaid jail boarding fees throughout the state. Those who owe would also forfeit their concealed weapons permit and be ineligible for hunting or fishing licenses.
