$2.04B Powerball Winner Edwin Castro Was Boy Scout, Athlete in High School

Edwin Castro, the recent winner of the $2.04 billion Powerball prize, grew up in Los Angeles and was once a prominent Boy Scout and high school athlete … TMZ has learned.

Our sources tell us 30-year-old Edwin rose all the way to Eagle Scout during his time in the scouts, and he attended Crescenta Valley High School in La Crescenta, CA … not far from Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, where he purchased the winning lottery ticket.

In addition to being a Boy Scout, we’re told Edwin played football and baseball in high school … our sources say he grew up in a “wholesome family” that frequently took fishing trips.

Our sources say Edwin, who studied architecture at Woodbury University in Burbank, is a quiet guy with a kind heart.

Since striking it rich, Edwin’s already used some of his new money to buy a swanky $25.5 million pad in the Hollywood Hills … one month after claiming his lump sum payment of $997,600,000 before taxes.

Edwin’s new crib has all the bells and whistles, including a home gym, garage parking for seven cars and a motor court … and we’re told he has a passion for classic cars and fitness.

As we reported, Edwin was being sued by a man who claimed the winning lotto ticket was actually stolen, claiming Edwin was involved in the alleged theft … but the lottery says they have the utmost confidence Edwin’s the rightful winner.

One source told us, “Winning the lotto couldn’t have happened to a better guy.”

Good luck out there, Edwin.