Powerball winner and his girlfriend are arrested just days after pocketing $167.3M jackpot
Just days after claiming a $167.3 million Powerball jackpot, a Kentucky man's dream turned into a legal nightmare on the sands of Florida.
James Farthing, 50, of Georgetown, Kentucky, was arrested early Wednesday morning at a St. Pete Beach resort following a late-night altercation that left him facing serious charges - including felony battery on a law enforcement officer.
Farthing, who won the jackpot with his mother, allegedly punched another guest in the face before he kicked a Pinellas County sheriff's deputy in the face while resisting arrest, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by the New York Post.
The incident occurred at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, a beachfront destination where Farthing and his girlfriend, Jacqueline Fightmaster, 42, were reportedly celebrating his life-changing lottery win.
Police were called to the resort bar around 11:10 pm after reports of a physical altercation between Farthing and another guest.
The already tense situation only escalated when officers tried to intervene, according to the arresting officer, WKYT reported.
Authorities said Farthing was intoxicated, uncooperative and aggressive, ultimately lashing out violently at law enforcement.
The deputy was reported to have swelling and redness on the right side of his face under his eye, according to the affidavit.
The jackpot winner now faces charges of battery on a law enforcement officer - a felony - and a pair of misdemeanors, resisting an officer without violence and battery.
In addition, officials in Kentucky have issued a warrant for violating his parole, which stems from prior convictions for theft and drug offenses.
Farthing was on parole through August 2025 for charges in Kentucky, WKYT reported.
His court records include convictions of tampering with evidence, engaging in organized crime, drug charges, receiving stolen property and theft by unlawful taking.
His girlfriend, Fightmaster, was also taken into custody on charges of public intoxication but has since been released.
Witnesses described her as verbally combative during the encounter.
'[Fightmaster] appeared very intoxicated and was yelling, screaming and making incoherent statements,' the affidavit alleged.
The Wednesday morning arrest comes on the heels of a highly publicized Powerball win that saw Farthing and his mother, Linda Grizzle, claim one of the largest jackpots in Kentucky history.
The $2 ticket was purchased at a Clark's Pump-N-Shop in Georgetown, where the pair was faced with the choice of receiving 30 annual payments or take the cash option of $77.3 million.
Grizzle told reporters earlier in the week that she had called her son immediately upon realizing they held the winning numbers.
'It's going to be a good Mother's Day,' she said. 'This is going to pay off my debt.'
Farthing, who was all smiles during the winner's announcement on Saturday, is now facing a far less glamorous spotlight as his court date in Florida is pending.
The 50-year-old Kentucky-native is being held on a $10,000 bond and jail records show he has $315 on his commissary account, according to WKYT.
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