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Steven Sturdavant, of Jacksonville, said he wanted to make sure he wasn’t dreaming after a $1 Cash 5 ticket turned into a $100,000 win, according to a press release from the North Carolina Education Lottery.

Sturdavant, a 63-year-old former Army staff sergeant, said he first checked the Jan. 28 Cash 5 results early the next morning and he thought the winning numbers looked similar, but he went right back to sleep.

“I was half asleep when I first found out,” Sturdavant said. “When I woke up later that morning I had to check again to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.”

Sturdavant, a Half Moon resident, retired from the Army as a disabled combat veteran. He bought his lucky Quick Pick ticket from the Food Lion on Branchwood Shopping Center in Jacksonville.

“I don’t think it’ll really sink in until I see it in the bank account,” Sturdavant laughed.

Sturdavant claimed his prize last Thursday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $71,014. He said he wants to do some house repairs, buy a new van and then help out some of his family members.

For details on how money raised by the lottery made an impact in North Carolina in 2020, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.

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