Johnston County Man “A Happy Camper” After $402,887 Jackpot

PRINCETON – Joseph Eonta of Princeton said he became a happy camper after his $1 Cash 5 ticket won a $402,887 jackpot.

“I looked and I said ‘daggum that looks like it might be the number,’” Eonta said.

Eonta said he chose the winning numbers based on his daughters’ and granddaughters’ ages.

“I’m thrilled to death,” Eonta said. “This will help me considerably.”

Eonta, 69, bought his ticket from Princeton Food Mart on Dr. Donnie H. Jones Boulevard for Wednesday’s Cash 5 drawing.

“I had to look about 20 times,” Eonta said. “It floored me.”

Eonta arrived at lottery headquarters Thursday to collect his prize and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $286,091. He said he wants to use the winnings to take care of some bills and possibly buy a new car.

Cash 5 is one of four lottery games in North Carolina where players have the option of buying their tickets through a retail location or Online Play, either through the lottery’s website or with the NC Lottery Official Mobile App. Cash 5 tickets are $1 and drawings are held every night.

The odds of winning a Cash 5 jackpot are 1 in 962,598.