The world is a screwed up place . . .

When the Florida Lottery released an image of its latest jackpot winner, proudly holding a sign showing off his $3 million win, the photograph quickly went viral on the Internet as people recognized the smiling 450-pound man as a sexual predator.

Timothy Poole, 43, instantly became a member of the top one-percent after buying a $20 Super Millions scratch-off ticket at a 7-Eleven in his hometown of Mount Dora, Fl. Upon cashing out his ticket at Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee on Monday, he opted for the one-time, lump-sum of $2,219,807.90. This will undoubtedly provide a huge boost in the bank account of a man who has been driving for his mother’s taxi cab company.

In the media spotlight, Poole’s checkered past is surfacing. Poole has been arrested 12 times in Florida, according to the Orlando Sentinel, on charges ranging from grant theft to sexual battery to forging a check, and he has spent over three years in prison total.

“In 2001, The Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrested Poole on charges of sexual battery on a female victim under 12, records show,” The Sentinel reports.

As news of the improbable winner’s past started popping up in the media, the Florida Lottery pulled his photo from their website.

“We chose to not draw additional attention to this particular winner,” said Shelly Gerteisen, communications manager for the Florida Lottery.

While Florida Lottery can decide to not promote a winner, they can’t refuse winnings based on someone’s criminal record.