A Freeborn County District Court judge sentenced an Albert Lea man Thursday to 20 months in prison for stealing multiple lottery tickets from the Gopher Stop in Clarks Grove and then cashing in the winning tickets in Albert Lea last year.

Ricky LaRon Shelton, 45, was on felony probation for a sale of heroin in 2008 at the time of the theft. He also has an extensive criminal history, including burglaries, robberies, thefts and assault.

Assistant Freeborn County Attorney David Walker said it was Shelton’s prior criminal history that ultimately gave him the sentence to prison.

He will receive credit for 40 days already spent in the Freeborn County jail.

Court documents state Shelton stole an identified number of tickets in July from the gas station. Two of the tickets were winners. He was 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 in Albert Lea. The tickets were identified by their numbers and the specific amount of winnings.

Court records state Shelton told authorities in an interview that he had a gambling problem but didn’t want any help for it.

Freeborn County District Court Judge Steve Schwab also ordered Shelton serve 60 days for the probation violation, which will be able to be served concurrently with the other prison time.