Latest news with #LindaGrizzle
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
History of Powerball winner arrested just days after pocketing $167.3M jackpot revealed
A man who recently claimed a $167.3 million Powerball jackpot has been unmasked as a career criminal with a lengthy rap sheet spanning more than three decades. James Shannon Farthing, 50, of Georgetown, Kentucky, made headlines in April after splitting the historic jackpot with his mother, Linda Grizzle, but his past soon came back into focus following his arrest just two days after the win, prompting scrutiny of his criminal history. Farthing has spent a cumulative 30 years behind bars for a wide range of offenses, including domestic violence involving strangulation, attempted bribery of correctional officers while incarcerated, and the distribution of cocaine to an undercover law enforcement agent, according to a report. His decades-long criminal record dates back to his teen years, as he was only able to complete 10 years of formal schooling, ultimately earning his GED in prison, The Smoking Gun reported. In his later years, Farthing escalated his criminal activities by becoming involved in drug trafficking, reportedly enlisting his mother in a plot to smuggle marijuana into a maximum-security correctional facility. He ultimately accepted a plea agreement that exonerated Grizzle of involvement, resulting in a 10-year prison sentence, according to the report. However, Farthing's incarceration did little to curb his misconduct. He was repeatedly placed in administrative segregation for infractions that included smuggling various forms of contraband - such as drugs and alcohol-related items - into the prison. Additionally, he was known to extort fellow inmates by charging them for the return of personal belongings he had stolen, according to the report. The heavily tattooed career criminal was also repeatedly denied parole, in part due to his extensive and ongoing pattern of criminal behavior, which showed little indication of abating. Farthing's physical transformation has been extensively documented through numerous mug shots over the years. But, even his recent acquisition of enormous wealth has not curtailed his criminal tendencies. Earlier this year, on April 30, while vacationing in Florida with his girlfriend, Farthing was arrested at the TradeWinds Island Resort in St. Pete Beach after allegedly punching a fellow guest and kicking a responding deputy in the face - just days after his record-breaking lottery win. Police were called to the resort's bar around 11:10 p.m. after reports of a physical altercation between Farthing and another guest. Authorities said Farthing was intoxicated, uncooperative and aggressive, ultimately lashing out violently at law enforcement. The deputy was reported to have swelling and redness on the right side of his face under his eye, according to an affidavit. The jackpot winner now faces charges of battery on a law enforcement officer - a felony - and a pair of misdemeanors, resisting an officer without violence and battery. In addition, officials in Kentucky have issued a warrant for violating his parole, which stems from prior convictions for theft and drug offenses. The winning $2 ticket was purchased at a Clark's Pump-N-Shop in Georgetown, where Farthing and his mother were faced with the choice of receiving 30 annual payments or take the cash option of $77.3 million.
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
$167.3M Powerball winner, 50, exposed as a career criminal who spent 30 years in jail before striking it rich: report
The winner of Kentucky's largest lottery jackpot who was arrested in Florida days after claiming his riches has a 16-page rap sheet and decades-long criminal history – earning him a jaw-dropping collection of mug shots along the way. James Shannon Farthing has spent 30 of his 50 years alive behind bars at 25 different correctional intuitions before he, along with his mother and girlfriend, claimed the $167.3 million Powerball jackpot in April, The Smoking Gun reported. The career criminal turned overnight millionaire's has racked up convictions across nine counties in Kentucky for a litany of offenses including strangling a girlfriend, bribing officers while in prison and selling cocaine to an undercover cop, according to the report. Advertisement 4 James Farthing, his mother Linda Grizzle and his girlfriend Jacqueline Fightmaster accepted his Kentucky Lottery win together in April. Kentucky lottery The lowlife's string of consistent crime started when he was just a teenager, with arrests for anything ranging from theft to reckless driving. He was only able to complete 10 years of formal schooling and earned his GED in prison. In his later years, Farthing upped the ante as he started dealing in drugs, even roping his mother in on a scheme to smuggle marijuana into a maximum security facility. Farthing accepted a plea deal that absolved Grizzle and he was sentenced to 10 years, the report said. Advertisement Even in the slammer, Farthing couldn't keep out of trouble. He was frequently placed in 'administrative segregation' after doing things like smuggling a variety of drug and alcohol paraphernalia into the prison and charging inmates to return items he stole from them like a bully on a school playground. 4 Farthing and his mother committed a marijuana smuggling plot together. WKYT The tatted-up criminal was frequently denied parole in part because of his seemingly infinite offenses with few signs of stopping. In the rare cases he was granted parole, he'd lose it just as quickly for violating terms of his release, usually through testing positive for drugs like marijuana. Advertisement Farthing appearance has been well documented in his countless booking photos — showing the transition from his baby-faced clean-shaven days to more recent times sporting a gray goatee and packing on a few extra pounds. And his newfound wealth hasn't stopped his antics. 4 Farthing's rap sheet is 16-pages long. PCSO Three days after cashing in with his 77-year-old mother Linda Grizzle and girlfriend Jacqueline Fightmaster, he was arrested in the Sunshine State after allegedly slugging another guest in the face and kicking a deputy who tried to intervene. Advertisement Farthing also violated his parole when he left Kentucky without notifying his parole officer. He was required to because of his lengthy criminal record. 4 Farthing has been in and out of prison ever since he was a teenager. WKYT Farthing was just freed from a Kentucky jail last week, according to the Kentucky Parole Board, but now has to face the charges from the Florida fight. A sliver of his lottery winnings was put towards his $11,000 bail. He pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for a July 14 arraignment, where he could face up to five years in prison for the remaining battery count on the deputy attack alone.
