What should have been a dream week turned into a legal nightmare for a Kentucky man who recently won a staggering $167.3 million Powerball jackpot. Instead of celebrating in peace, James Farthing, 50, was arrested after allegedly kicking a Florida deputy in the face during a resort altercation.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Farthing was hit with several charges, including felony battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer, and simple battery. The bizarre incident happened late Tuesday night at the upscale TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida.
Authorities say the situation escalated when Farthing got into a heated argument with another guest. When a responding deputy attempted to de-escalate the scuffle, Farthing reportedly struck him in the face… specifically the right cheek… with his foot. After the alleged attack, he tried to flee the scene rather than comply with orders to surrender.
It didn’t end there. According to arrest documents, Farthing is also accused of punching another individual in the face during the confrontation. His girlfriend, Jaqueline Fightmaster, was also taken into custody for disorderly intoxication but has since been released on bond.
What makes this headline even more shocking is the timing. Just three days earlier, Farthing had secured his place in the history books after purchasing a $2 Powerball ticket in Georgetown, Kentucky, that netted him and his mother the largest jackpot ever won in the state… $167.3 million.
But the celebration didn’t last long. Despite the massive payout, Farthing remains behind bars due to a parole violation tied to a previous case in Kentucky, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
As the saying goes, money can’t buy you peace… especially when you’re kicking deputies and running from hotel brawls.
