Powerball victor from Kentucky, awarded $167.3 million, apprehended for kicking cop in the face.
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Title: Millionaire Lottery Winner Lands in Florida Jail Cell: James Farthing's Wild Beach Bar Brawl
Posted on: May 9, 2025, 07:50h. Last updated on: May 9, 2025, 08:47h.
Byline: Phil Conneller, Gaming & Gambling Insider
Just two days after pocketing a whopping $167.3 million in the Powerball jackpot, Georgetown, KY's newfound millionaire James Shannon Farthing found himself behind bars in Florida - allegedly for a wild bar brawl.
Farthing, 50, who shared the life-changing win with his mother, Linda Grizzle on April 27, was photographed grinning with an oversized novelty check the following day. But that feel-good moment soon turned sour.
The Wild Night at the Beach Resort
On April 29, at around 11:15 pm, Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies were called to the Island Grand Hotel's bar at the Tradewinds Resort in St Pete's Beach, Fla. Arriving on the scene, they found Farthing engaged in a violent altercation with another man, Kevin Rushing.
Deputies claimed Farthing punched Rushing in the left side of the face with a closed fist. They intervened, leading to an altercation where a deputy was reportedly kicked in the face. Farthing, seemingly unwilling to back down, resisted arrest and attempted to flee before being finally apprehended.
Jacqueline Fightmaster, Farthing's girlfriend, was also arrested at the scene. According to the arrest report, Fightmaster - decked out in a fitting moniker - was causing a scene, yelling, screaming, and making incoherent statements. Witnesses claimed she was trying to pick fights with other patrons in the bar.
While Fightmaster's charges of disorderly intoxication may seem less severe, Farthing's accusations include battery, obstruction, and a felony for assaulting a law enforcement officer.
Farthing is currently being held in the Pinellas County Jail on a $10k bond. In his initial court appearance on May 1, he entered a not guilty plea and was ordered to have no contact with Rushing.
Darker Shadows in James Farthing's Life
Delving deeper into Farthing's past, court records in Kentucky reveal a lengthy criminal history that includes convictions for organized crime, tampering with evidence, and escaping from a detention facility[1]. Until August 2024, he was on parole for past drug and theft-related offenses[1].
Following his win, Farthing admitted to making "bad decisions in life" and acknowledged causing stress to his mother. Yet, he remained hopeful, attributing his perseverance to his faith[1].
As Farthing's life takes an unexpected turn, it serves as a reminder that fortune can bring unexpected consequences, and the road to redemption is rarely easy.
References
[1] Kentucky court records.[2] Pinellas County Sheriff's Office arrest report.
- James Shannon Farthing, the Powerball winner from Georgetown, KY, found himself in a Florida jail cell, allegedly for a wild bar brawl at the Island Grand Hotel's bar in St Pete's Beach, Florida.
- According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office arrest report, Farthing, 50, allegedly punched Kevin Rushing in the face during the altercation and resisted arrest, attempting to flee before being apprehended.
- Jacqueline Fightmaster, Farthing's girlfriend, was also arrested at the scene, causing a scene, yelling, screaming, and making incoherent statements.
- Farthing's charges include battery, obstruction, and a felony for assaulting a law enforcement officer, while Fightmaster faces charges of disorderly intoxication.
- Delving into Farthing's past, Kentucky court records reveal a lengthy criminal history that includes convictions for organized crime, tampering with evidence, and escaping from a detention facility.
- Following his win, Farthing admitted to making "bad decisions in life" and acknowledged causing stress to his mother.
- As James Farthing's life takes an unexpected turn, his story serves as a reminder that fortune can bring unexpected consequences, and the road to redemption is rarely easy, as reported in the general news and crime & justice sections.
