Sex offender Daniel Snay of Uxbridge, Massachusetts was arrested Friday for using his $10 million dollar lottery winnings to sexually abuse a boy, Telegram reports.

Snay, a Level 3 sex offender on the Massachusetts official registry, bought a $20 dollar lottery scratch card in 2008 and won the $10 million dollar Massachusetts lottery prize the same year. Investigators say that Snay used the money to befriend important people and attract potential victims.

The 62 year old sex offender was able to lure an 8-year-old boy who was abused by Snay for several years until this year when the child was 14. The offender was also accused of showing pornography to the young boy. Police claim that Snay’s winnings played a huge part in committing the abuse.

Police chief Jeffrey Lourie says that Snay may have committed other similar abuses in Rhode Island and Connecticut.

The convicted sex offender was charged with indecent assault and battery on a child, reckless endangerment of a child, enticement of a child and dissemination of pornography to a minor.

Snay’s history of sex offenses goes way back in the 70s. He has been charged six times with indecent assault and battery prior his recent arrest. In 1976, Snay was convicted of sexually assaulting a minor and was given 7 years of prison time.

In 1986, Snay was charged of sexually assaulting a 7-year old boy in his house.

His Level 3 classification on the sex offender list means that there is a high possibility that he will commit another crime again.

Police have been alerted of the sex offender when concerned residents noticed that Snay and the boy were frequently seen together. It wasn’t until the boy actually came forward recently that the Massachusetts police proceeded with a warrant.

Snay already worried the police force when he won the money in 2008. His lawyer claimed that the convicted sex offender will be using his winnings to support his five grown children and buy a house in Connecticut. According to official documents, Snay is divorced.

Before winning the prize, Snay worked as a truck driver for a yacht dealership.

The Massachussetts Lottery Commission said that they didn’t know Snay was a convicted sex offender until they were informed by the local police department.

Some urged Snay to give a portion of his winnings to those he previously victimized. It is unclear if the sex offender complied with the request.

What do you think? Should sex offenders be allowed to participate in state-organized lotteries?

[Image from the Telegram]