Powerball Winner Who Took Home $167M Arrested for Allegedly Kicking Cop in Florida
A winning lottery ticket is often a wish fulfilled. For Kentucky native James Farthing, who recently claimed a life-changing $167.3 million Powerball jackpot, though, the excitement was brief. A day after his staggering victory was announced, Farthing sat in a Florida jail cell, waiting on serious felony charges after a night that had slipped away from him.
As reported by authorities, Farthing, 50, was involved in a fight at the TradeWinds Resort on St. Pete Beach, Florida. The night that started off as a toast to a vacation turned sour soon. Farthing, according to reports, was in a rage-filled argument with another guest of the resort, which ended when Farthing hit the man on the face.
The altercations escalated to a still greater degree as a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputy stepped in to break up the fight. While trying to end the fight, Farthing is accused of kicking and flailing the officer directly in the face. The affidavit prepared by the authorities listed the observable injuries on the officer, including swelling and redness. After a futile attempt to flee the scene, Farthing was arrested and held.
His offenses are one felony battery on a police officer and two misdemeanors: battery and resisting an officer. That’s a rapid decline from hero status for a man who, only days before, was smiling in front of TV cameras, clutching a lottery check.
Farthing did not have to battle alone. His girlfriend, who was also at the resort, was described by authorities as “very intoxicated.” In an affidavit, she was seen screaming, yelling, and yelling incoherent things. She is also reported to have attempted to fight with other patrons of the bar. She was arrested and charged too with a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct.
The surprise? Just a day before, Farthing and his mother, Linda Grizzle, were announced as winners of Kentucky’s largest-ever Powerball prize. The record-breaking $167.3 million jackpot was the buzz of the town, and the two appeared to be walking on cloud nine when they posed for a photo with the ginormous check. “It’s going to be a good Mother’s Day,” Grizzle told lottery officials. “This is going to pay off my debt.”.
Grizzle and Farthing took the cash option in one lump sum of approximately $122.5 million pre-tax. They told officials they would retire, take a vacation, and visit relatives.
Now, rather than scheming to make vacation packages and home-buying extravaganzas, Farthing probably has court appearances and potential jail time in his future. His attorney has not publicly commented on the arrest or why it occurred.
Word of Farthing’s arrest spread quickly, causing shock, incredulity, and humor. To a few, it’s a classic morality play regarding how instant wealth can turn your life around overnight – especially if they’re not careful about it. To others, it’s merely another bizarre chapter in the long string of lottery winners whose luck turned sour.
Psychologists tend to note that unexpected windfalls of money can create as much stress as joy, particularly when winners are not ready for the abrupt change in their lifestyle. Celebration stress, publicity, and radical change in relationships can be overwhelming. Sadly, it seems that Farthing’s life after the lottery started deteriorating right away.
It is still unclear what Farthing’s punishment would be if he was found guilty. Battery of a law enforcement officer in Florida is an offense, and it is enough time behind bars. In addition to the charges, he may have financial penalties as well as legal ramifications that would bring his newly won fortunes into discredit.
Although his mother, who was thrilled by the Powerball win, has not been charged with any offense and has not made any statements since the arrest, it is not clear if this will impact what the family spends or invests their lottery winnings.
Among lottery jackpot winners, James Farthing’s story quickly becomes one of the less well-lit examples of how quickly things can go from bad to worse. Rather than living the dream that money can provide, he now has to contend with jail charges, a brawl in the barroom, and rampant speculation about what’s next.
It is a reminder that luck can change in a moment sometimes for the best, and sometimes, as is clearly obviously the situation here, for the worst.
