Powerball jackpot winner ends up in prison day later for kicking police officer in the face | Law Enforcement Today

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL - Authorities in Florida arrested a man for allegedly kicking a deputy in the face during a fight at a resort who just days earlier won the massive $167 million Powerball jackpot.

According to Fox News, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) said that 50-year-old James Farthing has been charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer as well as other misdemeanor charges of resisting an officer without violence and simple battery. The arrest affidavit states that Farthing was involved in a fight with another guest at the TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida just after 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29th.

The affidavit says that when a deputy attempted to break up the altercation, Farthing kicked him in the face. He allegedly kicked the deputy in the right cheek. After the alleged assault, Farthing was ordered to turn around and place his hands behind his back, but instead of complying, he refused to and attempted to run out of the hotel.

Farthing is also accused of punching a victim on the left side of their face with a closed fist during an argument. Farthing and his girlfriend, Jaqueline Fightmaster, were both arrested. Fightmaster was charged with disorderly intoxication. Farthing's arrest came three days after winning the Powerball jackpot in Kentucky.

According to the Powerball website, Farthing bought a $2 ticket from a gas station in Georgetown, Kentucky. After hitting all of the numbers, Farthing and his mother, Linda Grizzle, made Kentucky history with a $167.3 million jackpot prize, the largest ever awarded in the state. Even with all that money, Farthing remains in custody because of a parole violation stemming from a prior incident in Kentucky. Fightmaster posted bond and was released from custody.

NBC Chicago reported that on Monday, April 28th, Farthing went to lottery headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, with his mother to claim their winnings. Grizzle said, "It's going to be a good Mother's Day. This is going to pay off my debt. I would have never dream it. It hasn't sunken in yet."

Online court records in Kentucky show that Farthing has been arrested several times in recent years on various charges, including assault and domestic violence. WEAU reported that Farthing was on parole through August 2025 for charges in Kentucky. Other charges he has been convicted of include tampering with evidence, engaging in organized crime, drug charges, receiving stolen property, and theft by unlawful taking.