A Clarks Grove man has been charged with state lottery fraud after he reportedly stole multiple lottery tickets from the Gopher Stop and then cashed in the winning tickets in Albert Lea.

Ricky LaRon Shelton, 45, appeared in Freeborn County District Court Wednesday on the charge, a felony.

Court documents state Shelton allegedly stole the tickets in July from the Clarks Grove gas station. Documents do not indicate how many tickets were taken, but they indicate that two of the tickets were winners.

Shelton was reportedly identified in surveillance video redeeming one winning ticket for $50 on July 7 and a second for $10 on July 10 at Hy-Vee Gas, court records state.

When interviewed by a Freeborn County sheriff’s deputy, he allegedly admitted he had stolen the tickets and cashed them in. He reportedly told the deputy, “It was a stupid thing for him to do,” and said he had a gambling problem but didn’t want any help for it, according to court records.

In court Wednesday, Freeborn County Judge Steve Schwab ordered Shelton pay $20,000 unconditional bail or be released on his promise to appear for his next court hearing if he agreed to a series of conditions.

Conditions included signing a waiver of extradition, remaining law abiding and not contacting the Gopher Stop.

State lottery fraud carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.