Powerball Winner Arrested After Incident in Florida
Recently released body camera footage captures a Florida officer arresting James Farthing, the Kentucky Powerball winner, who allegedly kicked his aide in the face shortly after collecting his winnings.
Farthing, aged 50, is facing serious charges, including felony battery against a law enforcement officer, alongside two misdemeanor counts for resisting arrest connected to an incident on April 29.
His girlfriend, Jacqueline Fightmaster, was also taken into custody. She faces a misdemeanor charge for disorderly conduct after reportedly attempting to engage in a fight with other patrons at a resort bar.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office made the body camera video public on Tuesday. The footage indicates that Farthing kicked his aide while trying to break up a fight at the Trade Winds resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Deputies arrived to find two men fighting and a woman on the ground.
During the altercation, Farthing allegedly punched another hotel guest. The situation escalated as Farthing kicked his aide in the face and attempted to flee. Officers deployed a Taser to subdue him before he was taken into custody.
In the video, the aide can be heard saying something about not being able to kick him, reflecting perhaps a moment of confusion. Other individuals from the fight were also seen in handcuffs.
This incident unfolded shortly after Farthing and his mother won a substantial $167.3 million Powerball jackpot—this was the largest amount awarded in Kentucky to date.
Farthing had purchased a $2 ticket from a gas station in Georgetown, Kentucky, and matched all the winning numbers. Interestingly, he was on parole for previous charges when this latest arrest occurred.
He chose to waive his right to a hearing and has requested the remaining sentence to be issued, with an anticipated release later this month. Reports indicate a long history of criminal activity, including various convictions across nine counties in Kentucky, racking up around 30 years in prison for offenses like choking his girlfriend and selling drugs to undercover officers.
