Man Wins $167 Million Powerball Jackpot with His Mom. Then, 4 Days Later, He Lands in Jail
James Farthing and his mom won the $167.3 million Powerball jackpot, the largest lottery prize in Kentucky history, on April 26
Four days later, Farthing allegedly got into a fight at a Florida hotel and kicked a deputy who attempted to break it up
Farthing now faces several charges, including a felony count of battery on a law enforcement officer
A Kentucky man was over the moon after winning the biggest lottery prize in the state's history. But four days later, he was behind bars.
On the night of Saturday, April 26, James Farthing learned that his $2 Powerball ticket that he bought his mom was a winner, and the duo had won a $167.3 million jackpot, the largest lottery prize in the history of Kentucky, according to the Kentucky Lottery.
Along with his mom, Linda Grizzle, Farthing, 50, collected the prize — and posed for photos with a giant check — on Monday, April 28, with the Georgetown native telling the Kentucky Lottery that 'it's going to be a good Mother's Day.' He also shared plans to 'pay off my debt.'
Grizzle was shocked, telling the company she 'would have never dreamed' of winning the historic prize and saying that it still 'hasn't sunken in yet.'
However, the mother-son duo's celebration was short-lived. Days later, on Wednesday, April 30, Farthing was arrested.
The newly minted lottery winner was at a hotel out of state on April 30, when an altercation broke out, leading a deputy with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office to arrest him, according to police records obtained by Kentucky outlet WKYT, Louisiana Fox affiliate WVUE-DT and USA Today.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday, May 3.
According to USA Today, Farthing was at the TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Fla., when a fight broke out, and Farthing allegedly punched another patron in the face.
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Meanwhile, his girlfriend was allegedly also trying to fight guests of the hotel, per USA Today. She 'appeared very intoxicated,' the affidavit said, 'and was yelling, screaming and making incoherent statements.'
After the Pinellas County Sheriff's deputy attempted to break up the altercation, Farthing allegedly kicked him in the face, USA Today reported. Following the alleged kick — which caused swelling and redness in the deputy's face, per an arrest affidavit — he allegedly attempted to resist arrest by fleeing the hotel, but was apprehended, the outlet reported.
Farthing was booked into jail on April 30 and charged with one felony count of battery on a law enforcement officer and two misdemeanor counts of battery and resisting an officer, as well as a parole violation, according to court records viewed by PEOPLE.
His girlfriend, whose identity has not been shared publicly, was also charged and now faces one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct, according to USA Today.
It is not immediately clear if Farthing or his girlfriend have obtained legal representation to comment on their behalf.
According to WKYT, Farthing was on parole through August 2024 for a series of charges in Kentucky. His past convictions include drug- and theft-related charges, as well as tampering with evidence and engaging in organized crime, the outlet reported.
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