John San Cartier
August 10, 2005
New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM – A master sergeant assigned to the 58th Training Squadron at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque has claimed a $93.4 million Powerball jackpot. John San Cartier correctly matched all six numbers drawn on August 10. It was the New Mexico Lottery's third Powerball jackpot, the second-largest prize in the state, and the largest claimed by an individual. The winning numbers were 13-31-36-38-49 and the Powerball was 2.
San Cartier chose the $52.2 million lump-sum option. After federal withholding taxes of 25 percent and state withholding taxes of six percent, he will receive a one-time wire transfer of approximately $36 million.
Following Lottery recommendations, the special operations instructor loadmaster sought legal and financial advice before claiming his prize.
He bought his winning “quick pick” ticket at Raley's Superstore #805 at 6200 Coors NW in Albuquerque. His shopping list at the market was short: a jug of milk and a quick pick ticket.
“I was taking my daughter to school on my way to work the next day,” San Cartier said. “I heard on the radio that someone won. I went home in the afternoon and checked on-line. I started shaking and called my wife. She said, ‘No way!'”
San Cartier checked his winning numbers on-line at the Powerball and New Mexico Lottery websites, and then started checking various local news stories. He finally went back to Raley's and picked up a print-out of the winning ticket, never indicating the reasons for his interest.
San Cartier has been in the service for 15 ½ years. September 5 marks his third anniversary at Kirtland.