From winning $167 million to prison: The unbelievable downfall of a Powerball jackpot winner in just 48 hours
A Kentucky man who won a record-breaking $167.3 million Powerball jackpot saw his fortunes plummet just 48 hours later when he was arrested on charges of battery and resisting arrest.
Lottery prices can change, for good or bad, everyone's life. Nobody knows better than one Kentucky man who went from winning $167.3 million jackpot to being behind bars in just 48 hours later.
James Farthing, who had bought the winning ticket with plans to share the prize with his mother, was arrested after a violent altercation at a Florida resort. What seemed like a dream come true quickly became a nightmare. Here is the story.
A Kentucky man was arrested 48 hours after winning $167 million jackpot
James Farthing and his girlfriend were arrested at the TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida, according to an arrest warrant obtained by USA Today.
Farthing is accused of punching another hotel guest in the face during an argument. In an affidavit, the Kentucky man kicked the Pinellas County Sheriff's deputy, when the officer was trying to break up the fight.
Police reports said Farthing tried to flee the scene but was apprehended.
As for his girlfriend, another arrest affidavit says that she was trying to fight other patrons in the bar.
"She was very intoxicated and was yelling, screaming and making incoherent statements", the affidavit said.
According to USA Today, Farthing was charged with one felony count of battery on a law enforcement officer and two misdemeanor counts of battery counts of disorderly conduct.
From winning Powerball jackpot to behind bars
Farthing, who purchased the $2 ticket just hours before the altercation, was set to share the life-changing prize with his mother.
The jackpot, which was a record for Kentucky, was to be divided between them.
“It’s going to be a good Mother’s Day,” Farthing's mother, Linda Grizzle, told lottery officials. “This is going to pay off my debt.”
