Powerball Winner arrested after $167 Million Jackpot win, bodycam footage reveals what happened
Powerball Winner: Incident at St. Pete Beach Resort
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday released the bodycam video of the April 29 incident at the Tradewinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Deputies had been dispatched to the location following reports of a disturbance involving multiple guests.
On arrival, deputies found two men fighting and a woman lying on the ground. The footage appears to show 50-year-old James Farthing, shirtless, in a confrontation with another man before a deputy intervenes to separate them. Moments later, Farthing can be seen allegedly swinging his leg and kicking the deputy in the face, as per a report by Fox News.
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Powerball Winner: Deputy's Account and Arrest
According to the Sheriff's Office, Farthing had earlier punched another hotel guest during an argument. When the deputy attempted to break up the altercation, Farthing allegedly lashed out with a kick before attempting to run away.
Deputies deployed a taser to subdue him, and he was tackled to the ground before being taken into custody. The bodycam recording also captures the injured deputy saying, 'No shirt comes over to kick him, misses and hits me right here,' pointing to his face.
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The other man involved in the brawl was also placed in handcuffs.
Powerball Winner: Charges Filed
Farthing now faces one felony count of battery on a law enforcement officer and two misdemeanor counts, simple battery and resisting an officer, as per the Fox News report.
His girlfriend, Jacqueline Fightmaster, was also arrested in connection with the incident. She was charged with one misdemeanor count of disorderly intoxication after allegedly attempting to start fights with other patrons in the resort bar.
Powerball Winner: From Jackpot Celebration to Jail
The arrest came less than 24 hours after Farthing and his mother, Linda Grizzle, were publicly named as the winners of a $167.3 million Powerball jackpot, the largest prize ever awarded in Kentucky.
Farthing had purchased the $2 winning ticket at a gas station in Georgetown, Kentucky. The ticket matched all numbers drawn, securing the record-breaking prize.
Lottery officials said the mother-son duo chose to take the lump sum option, though the final after-tax amount was not disclosed at the time.
'It's going to be a good Mother's Day,' Grizzle had told Kentucky Lottery officials during the announcement. 'This is going to pay off my debt.'
Powerball Winner: Criminal Background and Legal Status
Farthing's rapid fall from lottery glory to a Florida jail cell is compounded by his extensive criminal history. Reports indicate he has spent a combined 30 years in prison for various offenses across nine Kentucky counties, including charges of assault, bribery, and drug trafficking.
He was on parole in Kentucky at the time of the Florida incident. In June, he waived his right to a probable cause hearing and requested to serve the remainder of his sentence. He is expected to be released later this month.
Powerball Jackpot Context
The April win marked the largest Powerball payout in Kentucky's history and one of the most significant lottery wins in the United States in 2025. The Powerball game, operated across multiple states, often sees jackpots climb into the hundreds of millions, with winners given the choice of 30 annual instalments or a one-time cash payout.
Farthing's ticket was part of a draw that attracted millions of entries, with odds of securing the jackpot at approximately 1 in 292.2 million.
Powerball Winner: Public Reaction
The case has attracted significant attention both in Kentucky, where the jackpot was won, and in Florida, where the arrest took place. Social media reactions ranged from disbelief at the quick reversal of fortunes to criticism over Farthing's behaviour so soon after becoming a multimillionaire.
FAQs
How much did James Farthing win in the Powerball jackpot?
He and his mother won $167.3 million, the largest Powerball prize in Kentucky history.
What charges does the Powerball winner face in Florida?
Farthing faces one felony count of battery on a law enforcement officer, two misdemeanour counts of simple battery, and resisting an officer. His girlfriend faces a misdemeanour charge of disorderly intoxication.
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