• James Farthing won a $167.3M Powerball jackpot in Kentucky but was arrested days later in Florida for assaulting a deputy during a resort bar fight. A Powerball winner arrested for assault makes headlines.
• His girlfriend, Jacqueline Fightmaster, was also arrested for public intoxication after causing a drunken scene at the same resort.
• Farthing, a former convict on parole, now faces felony charges and remains in jail while his jackpot celebration quickly turned into legal trouble.

James Farthing hit the jackpot in Kentucky. He won \$167.3 million in the Powerball lottery. Just days later, he ended up in jail. Police say he kicked a Florida deputy in the face during a fight at a beach resort. The chaos resulted in a Powerball winner’s arrest.

Farthing, 50, and his girlfriend, Jacqueline Fightmaster, got arrested Tuesday night. The fight happened at the TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Farthing had just appeared in public with his mother and girlfriend. They posed with a giant lottery check. Less than 24 hours later, his celebration ended in chaos, culminating in the infamous Powerball arrest.

Farthing Kicked a Deputy While Trying to Escape a Bar Brawl

The trouble started around 11:10 p.m. Tuesday night. Farthing got into an argument with another guest at the hotel bar. Police say he punched the man in the face. A sheriff’s deputy tried to break up the fight. Farthing then kicked the officer in the face.

The deputy suffered swelling and redness under one eye. Police officers quickly moved in. Farthing tried to run, but they caught him. Officers arrested him on the spot. According to police, he resisted and caused a major scene, a scene that led to a Powerball winner being arrested.

Girlfriend Fightmaster Lived Up to Her Name, Police Say

Jacqueline Fightmaster, 42, also caused trouble at the resort bar. Officers described her as extremely drunk. She yelled, screamed, and made no sense. Police say she tried to start fights with other guests. Her last name, Fightmaster, seemed oddly fitting.

Officers arrested her for public intoxication. She did not face serious charges like Farthing, whose actions as a Powerball winner contributed to his arrest. But she still ended up in handcuffs. The scene shocked hotel guests who were nearby.

Police Charged Farthing With Multiple Offenses

Farthing now faces several charges. The most serious one is felony battery on a law enforcement officer. That charge alone could carry prison time. He also faces two misdemeanor charges. Records show he broke parole from a past case in Kentucky.

He remains in jail as of Thursday. Fightmaster was released after a short time in custody. A lawyer listed for Farthing has not responded to media questions, emphasizing the Powerball winner’s arrest and its implications.

Farthing Has a Long Criminal History in Kentucky

This is not Farthing’s first run-in with the law. Court records from Kentucky show a long list of past convictions. He has been charged with theft, drug offenses, and receiving stolen property.

Before the Powerball win, he lived a very different life. He shared that he planned to split the money with his mother. She helped him buy the ticket at Clark’s Pump N Shop in Georgetown. Despite his past, the Powerball winner’s arrest has dominated headlines.

Jackpot Was the Largest Ever in Kentucky

The $167.3 million Powerball prize set a record in Kentucky. Farthing had two options. He could take 30 annual payments. Or he could accept a lump sum of \$77.3 million. He chose the cash payout.

At first, it looked like a life-changing moment. He and his mother, Linda Grizzle, celebrated the win with big smiles. She said the prize would help them pay off debt. “It’s going to be a good Mother’s Day,” she said in a press release from the Kentucky Lottery, though a subsequent Powerball arrest soon overshadowed the celebration.

A Big Win Quickly Turned Into a Big Fall

Farthing had just gone public with his prize. He stood next to his mom and girlfriend in a proud photo. But in less than two days, his life took a hard turn. Instead of planning a new future, the Powerball winner’s arrest led him to face serious legal problems.