A Kentucky man who won a $167.3 million Powerball jackpot, the largest in the state's history, has been arrested for the fourth time since claiming his prize, this time on domestic violence allegations.
James Farthing, 51, of Georgetown, was taken into custody on Sunday after allegedly strangling a woman following a boating trip. The woman told police that an argument broke out when they returned and that Farthing put both hands around her neck, restricting her breathing, according to local reports.
Farthing faces charges of first-degree strangulation (domestic violence-related) and fourth-degree assault (domestic violence causing minor injury). He pleaded not guilty on Tuesday and was released on a $15,000 bond, with conditions including no contact with the alleged victim and wearing an electronic monitoring device.
Farthing initially made headlines in April 2025 after buying the winning $2 Powerball ticket in Georgetown, Kentucky, and announcing plans to split the winnings with his mother, Linda Grizzle. 'It's going to be a good Mother's Day,' Grizzle said at the time. 'This is going to pay off my debt.'
His previous arrests include an incident in Florida days after claiming the prize, where he kicked a sheriff's deputy and attempted to flee before being tased. He later received a sentence of time served and $1,000 in fines. In February 2026, he was arrested on an intimidation charge after a woman called 911 fearing for her life, and in March he was charged with second-degree burglary and marijuana possession for allegedly stealing about $12,000 in cash. Farthing's criminal record dates back to 1994.
