Sioux Center, Iowa — An underage Sioux Center woman has been arrested on felony lottery theft charges.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the Sioux County Clerk of Court’s Office by the Sioux Center Police Department, 19-year-old Evelyn Romo-Ortiz of Sioux Center is accused of stealing lottery tickets while working for Casey’s in Sioux Center. She was arrested last Wednesday.
In his statement, the officer says that on July 30th, Casey’s reported they believed an employee was involved in the theft of Iowa Lottery scratch tickets while on duty. Following an investigation, police believe that between July 10 and July 28, 2025, Romo-Ortiz unlawfully took more than 15 Iowa Lottery scratch tickets without payment or authorization. The total value of the stolen tickets exceeded $400. The employee redeemed the tickets and collected over $1,000 in winnings. The police report says Romo-Ortiz admitted to taking the scratch tickets and taking the winnings home. The report notes that she is not legally old enough to even purchase or claim lottery tickets.
Romo-Ortiz was charged with two counts of lottery forgery or theft, a class D felony. If convicted and ordered to serve the sentences consecutively, she could face up to ten years in prison. She also faces misdemeanor charges of third and fourth-degree theft.
She faces an initial hearing on Tuesday, August 12th.
Romo-Ortiz was booked into the Sioux County Jail in Orange City and was released the next day after posting a $10,000 bond.
