A recent Powerball jackpot winner from Kentucky was arrested in Florida just days after claiming a $167.3 million prize, following an alleged altercation at a beachside resort that ended with a sheriff’s deputy injured, as reported [1] by The New York Post.
James Farthing, 50, of Georgetown, Kentucky, was taken into custody late Tuesday night after reportedly kicking a deputy in the face during a bar fight at the TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida.
The incident occurred just two days after Farthing and his mother, Linda Grizzle, posed with an oversized ceremonial check from the Kentucky Lottery.
According to an arrest affidavit from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Farthing had punched another hotel guest during a dispute before deputies responded to the scene.
As law enforcement attempted to break up the altercation around 11:10 p.m., Farthing allegedly kicked a deputy under the right eye, causing swelling and redness.
The affidavit, initially obtained by The Smoking Gun, states that Farthing then attempted to flee the scene but was unsuccessful. He was arrested and charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, a felony, as well as two misdemeanor charges.
Farthing’s girlfriend, 42-year-old Jacqueline Fightmaster, was also arrested during the incident. Police said she appeared heavily intoxicated, was yelling incoherently, and appeared to be attempting to start physical confrontations with others at the bar.
Fightmaster was charged with public intoxication and later released.
Farthing, who remains in custody, is also facing a parole violation related to previous convictions in Kentucky. His criminal record includes charges for theft, receiving stolen property, and drug offenses.
The couple had just celebrated the massive lottery win alongside Grizzle earlier this week. Farthing purchased the winning Powerball ticket from a Clark’s Pump-N-Shop in Georgetown.
Although he bought the ticket, Farthing announced he would split the winnings with his mother. The family opted for the lump sum payment of $77.3 million before taxes. Grizzle stated in a press release issued by the Kentucky Lottery:
“This is going to pay off my debt. It’s going to be a good Mother’s Day.”
The $167.3 million jackpot is the largest ever awarded in Kentucky. According to the lottery, the ticket matched all five white balls and the Powerball during Saturday’s drawing.
Farthing’s legal team has not commented publicly on the incident as of Thursday.