LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky man who recently won a life-changing Powerball jackpot was arrested in Florida just days after his monumental win. James S. Farthing, who prefers to go by Shannon, was apprehended and faced charges of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. The incident occurred while a Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputy was responding to a disturbance at a hotel where Farthing was involved in a fight. Allegedly, Farthing kicked the officer in the face when instructed to comply with the arrest.
On Sunday, October 15, 2023, Farthing discovered he had won the state’s largest-ever Powerball jackpot of $167 million after receiving a call from his mother, Linda Grizzle, who realized they held the winning ticket. The Kentucky Lottery confirmed the ticket, purchased from a gas station, was a victory for the duo, with plans to split the prize money.
Following the revelation of the lottery win, Farthing and Grizzle made their way to the Kentucky Lottery headquarters in Louisville on Monday, October 16, to officially claim their winnings. Grizzle expressed her excitement, emphasizing that the winnings would alleviate her financial burdens. She remarked, "It's going to be a good Mother's Day. This is going to pay off my debt." In the wake of such life-altering news, Grizzle added that she never anticipated winning the jackpot and that the reality had yet to sink in.
During an interview with WKYT-TV, Farthing shared his intentions of using the winnings to support his mother, acknowledging past mistakes and the stress he had caused her. He said, "I’ve caused a lot of stress on her, you know, I’ve made some bad decisions in life, and, you know, God’s been good because I’ve kept my faith and done right." The winning numbers for the draw were 1-12-14-18-69, with the Powerball being 2. Kentucky Lottery officials informed the family that they could either take a cash option of $77.3 million or select to receive the total as 30 graduated annual payments.
However, the excitement surrounding the windfall quickly turned into a series of unfortunate events. By midweek, Farthing found himself in a Florida jail after being taken into custody early on Wednesday, October 18. Reports indicated that he was still in jail as of Friday, October 20, according to Pinellas County’s online detention records. The officer's report detailed that when the deputy attempted to apprehend Farthing after he resisted and attempted to flee, he ended up kicking the officer, leading to the battery charge.
Additionally, Farthing's recent arrest is not an isolated incident as online court records from Kentucky reveal a history of multiple arrests in recent years, including charges of assault and domestic violence. Furthermore, an attorney listed as representing Farthing had not immediately responded to inquiries regarding the latest charges.
This case highlights the often tumultuous experience of sudden wealth and personal struggle, coupled with a significant background in law enforcement interactions. The circumstances surrounding the jackpot win and subsequent arrest raise important questions about the impact of newfound fortunes on individuals' lives and decision-making.
