After nearly a decade and two extraditions from Florida, a one-time employee of the American Legion Post 117 in Butler appeared in court for stealing nearly $20,000 in a lottery ticket scam.

Walter Scott, 44, and his wife, Selena Scott, 45, were sentenced Thursday in Butler County Court.

The pair, who pleaded guilty to theft by unlawful taking, stole “strip” or “pull-off” type lottery tickets from a machine and cabinet at the South Main Street post. For about six months, the couple reportedly removed hundreds of tickets at a time, weeding out the winners, then cashing them in.

That was in 2005: The same year that Michael Jackson was acquitted of molesting a teenaged boy, that YouTube was launched and that “The Colbert Report” first aired.

Warrants were issued for both Scotts. And the allegations lingered inactive until authorities located Walter Scott in Jacksonville, Fla., in 2008, and escorted him back to Butler County.

But months later, after Walter Scott pleaded guilty to theft and conspiracy, he was released on his own recognizance.

He failed to show up at his March 2009 sentencing date. Court records say he notified the courts that he “could not get a ride” and has been a wanted man ever since.

Both Walter and Selena Scott appeared back on the radar just before Christmas when, according to court officials, they tried to get a new apartment in Clay County, Fla. The application triggered a notification to police.

Walter Scott’s lawyer, Armand Cingolani of Butler, said his client told him that his lawyer in 2009 did not give him any direction so he went to Florida, where he worked on the railroad until he was laid off. He was working as a music DJ up until his recent arrest and extradition.

He’s been in the Butler County Prison since his second extradition.

On Thursday, Walter Scott was sentenced to the terms of a plea agreement ironed out earlier: time served to 23 months in jail, followed by 3 years’ probation.

Selena Scott was sentenced to between time served and 14 months in prison, followed by 3 years’ probation.

Both were ordered to do 50 hours of community service and split the $19,906 restitution bill.

Neither commented in court.