This man in Kentucky won the biggest lottery prize in the history of the state. He was thrilled. But after four days, he was locked up.
On the night of April 26, James Farthing found out that the $2 Powerball ticket he bought for his mom had won. The two of them had won a $167.3 million sum, which the Kentucky Lottery says is the biggest lottery prize in the state’s history.
Farthing, 50, picked up the win and posed for pictures with a big cheque on Monday, April 28. Based on his hometown of Georgetown, he told the Kentucky Lottery, “It’s going to be a good Mother’s Day.” He also talked about how he was going to “pay off my debt.”
Grizzle was shocked when she won the unique prize. She told the company that she “would have never dreamed” of it happening and that it still “hasn’t sunk in yet.”
The mother and boy did celebrate for a short time, though. After a few days, on April 30, Farthing was arrested.
According to police records seen by WKYT in Kentucky, WVUE-DT in Louisiana, and USA Today, the newly-minted lottery winner was at a hotel out of state on 30 April when a fight broke out. A policeman with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office then arrested him.
When PEOPLE asked the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office for a comment on Saturday, May 3, they did not answer right away.
USA Today says Farthing was at the TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida, when a fight broke out. They say Farthing punched another guest in the face.
USA Today says that at the same time, his girlfriend was also trying to fight hotel guests. The affidavit said she “seemed very drunk” and was “yelling, screaming, and making incoherent statements.”
USA Today said that Farthing reportedly kicked the Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputy in the face after the deputy tried to break up the fight. According to the arrest affidavit, the alleged kick made the deputy’s face swell and turn red. He then reportedly tried to avoid arrest by running away from the hotel, but was caught, the news source said.
A person named Farthing was arrested on April 30 and charged with one felony count of battery on a police officer, two misdemeanour counts of battery and resisting an officer, and violating his release. These charges were seen by PEOPLE.
USA Today reports that his partner, whose name has not been made public, was also charged and now faces one misdemeanour count of disorderly conduct.
Farthing or his partner may have hired a lawyer to speak for them, but it’s not clear at this time.
WKYT said that Farthing was out on parole until August 2024 for a number of charges in Kentucky. The news source said that he has been convicted of drug and theft crimes, messing with evidence, and being involved in organised crime in the past.