by Luke Matheson
On Jan. 8, 2026, a jury found Portier Guytan guilty of charges stemming from a lottery scam involving a 76-year-old Crossett victim. Guytan was sentenced to 10 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction and fined $10,000 after Circuit Judge Robert Gibson III accepted the jury’s recommendation.
According to court testimony, the case began May 15, 2025, when Ashley County Sheriff Tommy Sturgeon learned the victim had been contacted by individuals claiming he had won an $11 million Jamaican lottery. The callers instructed the victim to send $50,000 to collect the winnings.
Before law enforcement intervened, the victim had already sent approximately $30,000 and was preparing to deliver the remaining funds during a scheduled exchange at Brookshire’s in Crossett. Deputies set up surveillance on May 16, 2025, and observed Guytan accept a bag containing $27,000 in cash from the victim in exchange for a briefcase purported to contain the lottery proceeds.
Deputies intercepted Guytan immediately after the exchange. Investigators later determined the briefcase contained only printer paper.
Guytan told authorities he was originally from Trinidad and had been living in Massachusetts when he was paid $3,000 to transport money and deliver it to Jamaica. He admitted placing the paper inside the briefcase and acknowledged involvement in a prior exchange, but testified he could not identify the individual he claimed to be working for.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sandra Bradshaw thanked the jury following the verdict, saying the outcome sent a clear message that financial crimes will not be tolerated in Ashley County.
“This conviction underscores that criminals who exploit vulnerable citizens will be held accountable,” Bradshaw said.
Officials said the case highlights the ongoing efforts of the 10th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the Ashley County Sheriff’s Office to combat elder fraud. Sheriff Sturgeon noted that lottery and sweepstakes scams are common and difficult to investigate due to their international nature. He added that many victims fail to report the crimes out of embarrassment.
Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain said similar scams have plagued the United States for more than a decade.
“The Jamaican Lottery or Sweepstakes Scam has targeted vulnerable individuals for over 15 years,” Spain said. “The Federal Trade Commission issued warnings about this type of fraud as early as 2009. This conviction sends a strong message that this exploitation will not be tolerated.”
Spain urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited offers promising large payouts in exchange for fees or taxes, noting such demands typically continue until the victim’s funds are exhausted.
Authorities also warned of other common elder fraud schemes identified by the FBI, including romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, government impersonation scams, home repair scams, and caregiver exploitation.
More information on elder fraud and how to avoid scams can be found on the FBI’s website at fbi.gov.
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Man Sentenced to Prison for Lottery Scam Targeting Elderly Ashley County Resident
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