Port Richey Man, 20, Claims $450 Million Mega Millions Jackpot

TALLAHASSEE, FL - A 20-year-old Port Richey man has come forward to claim last week’s $450 million Mega Millions jackpot, according to his lawyers.

Shane Missler, 20, was the single winner in the Jan. 5 Mega Millions drawing.

The winning jackpot ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven on Ridge Road in Port Richey. Missler purchased a winning scratch-off lottery ticket and converted it into five Mega Million quick pick tickets. The winning combination was on the fourth number, according to a statement from his lawyers.

The ticket was claimed at lottery offices in Tallahassee on Friday. Missler will receive a lump sum payout of $281.2 million.

Missler’s lawyers say he recently "retired" from his job at a local background screening company and plans to spend his future taking care of his family and “educating himself to be a good steward of this fortune.” His Facebook page lists him as a verifications specialist at Universal Background Screening, Inc.

“Although I’m young, I’ve had a crash course this week in financial management and I feel so fortunate to have this incredible wealth and team behind me. I intend to take care of my family have some fun along the way, and cement a path for financial success so that I can leave a legacy far into the future,” Missler said in a statement.

"I have always been one to encourage the idea of chasing dreams and I believe life is about the pursuit of passion. I am 20 years old and my journey has only just begun. If there is one thing I have learned thus far in my short time on the earth is that those who maintain a positive mindset and stay true to themselves get rewarded. I look forward to the future," the statement said.

The statement said Missler plans on relocating from Tampa Bay. Missler appears to be a fan of Boston sports teams with his Twitter account filled tweets about the Boston Celtics and the New England Patriots. His Facebook page says he is from Topsham, Maine.

The winning ticket was redeemed Friday in Tallahassee by Missler, his father and his attorney Walt Blenner of the Blenner Law Group.

Image via Florida Lottery