Even More Bad News For Woman Who Won $188 Million Powerball: She Bailed Felon BF Out Of Jail

Marie Holmes, a single mother from Shallotte, North Carolina, made headlines in February 2015 when she won a $188 million Powerball jackpot. After taxes, Holmes took home approximately $88 million. At the time, she was working multiple jobs at Walmart, McDonald’s, KFC, and Subway to support her family.

Holmes initially pledged to use her winnings to support her children and her church, but much of the public’s attention quickly shifted to her relationship with Lamarr “Hot Sauce” McDow, her boyfriend who was already sitting in jail on heroin trafficking and weapons charges when she hit the jackpot.

Shortly after receiving her winnings, Holmes posted McDow’s $3 million bail to get him out of jail. When he was arrested again on a weapons charge, she put up $6 million for his release. A third arrest — this time for alleged street racing — came with a $12 million bail, which Holmes also paid.

In total, Holmes spent an estimated $21 million bailing McDow out of jail — nearly a quarter of her after-tax winnings.

McDow’s criminal history was extensive. He had been arrested twice in 2014 after authorities said they confiscated approximately 2,500 bags of heroin during separate incidents. He also had prior convictions for assault inflicting serious injury, assault on a female, and multiple felony drug possession charges.

Holmes herself was drawn into legal trouble when McDow was arrested at her new home for violating the terms of his release. Officers reportedly found marijuana and drug paraphernalia at the residence, and Holmes was charged as well.

In 2016, McDow pleaded guilty to selling heroin and was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. The couple separated shortly after.

Years later, in 2021, McDow filed a lawsuit against Holmes, claiming she had given away property that belonged to him. The court dismissed the case and ruled in Holmes’ favor.

The saga of Marie Holmes and “Hot Sauce” McDow became one of the most widely discussed lottery winner stories in recent memory, serving as a cautionary tale about sudden wealth and the complications that can follow.