Newly released body camera footage reveals the arrest of James Farthing, a Kentucky Powerball winner, after he allegedly kicked a deputy in the face during an altercation in Florida. The incident occurred shortly after Farthing and his mother collected their $167.3 million jackpot prize, the largest ever awarded in Kentucky.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office released the footage showing Farthing kicking a deputy as officers tried to break up a fight between him and another man at the Tradewinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Deputies arrived to find two men fighting and a woman on the ground. Farthing was seen punching another guest before attempting to flee the scene.
Officers used a taser to subdue Farthing after he allegedly kicked a deputy during the confrontation. Despite trying to escape, he was tackled and taken into custody without further incident. The other man involved was also arrested.
Farthing purchased the winning ticket from a gas station in Georgetown, Kentucky. At the time of his arrest, he was on parole for previous charges in Kentucky and has a criminal record spanning nine counties, including convictions for choking a girlfriend, bribing officers, and drug-related offenses. He waived his right to a probable cause hearing and plans to serve out the remainder of his sentence, with release expected later this month.
This arrest has drawn attention due to the stark contrast between Farthing’s recent lottery win and his ongoing legal troubles.
