Nebraska gas station manager tries his luck at getting $300,000 lottery fraud case tossed

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Nebraska gas station manager accused of fraudulently claiming a winning ticket is trying to get his case dismissed.

On Wednesday, Jeremiah Ehlers’ attorney filed a motion alleging that there was not enough evidence presented at his preliminary hearing.

Ehlers, who is charged with felony theft by deception, worked at a gas station in Greeley.

Court documents say he was caught on camera stealing scratch-off tickets at the store.

Video shows Ehlers scratching and validating a winning $300,000 ticket before paying for it, according to an arrest affidavit.

SEE ALSO: Affidavit: Nebraska gas station manager stole winning scratch ticket worth $300,000

Authorities said on April 12, 2024, he took the ticket the Nebraska Lottery office in Lincoln and received $213,000 after taxes.

State law requires that lottery tickets be paid for up-front.

In a new filing in Lancaster County District Court, Ehlers’ attorney asks the judge to quash the case.

The motion says the evidence cited in the preliminary hearing in county court “was insufficient as a matter of law to show that a crime was committed or that there was probable cause to believe that the Defendant had committed said crime.”

Judge Kevin McManaman will consider the request at a July 29 hearing.