James Farthing, who won a $167.3 million Powerball jackpot in April 2025, was arrested early Sunday after officers say they found him asleep in a running car outside a Georgetown Walmart and determined he was impaired. CCTV reportedly contradicts Farthing's claim that someone else dropped him off. This is his fifth arrest since the jackpot, following earlier charges including battery, burglary, marijuana possession, and alleged first-degree strangulation. Farthing remains in custody at the Scott County Detention Center.
Kentucky Powerball Winner Arrested at Walmart — Faces Fifth Criminal Charge Since $167.3M Win
Image via (YouTube/WKYT)
James Farthing, who won a $167.3 million Powerball jackpot in April 2025 — the largest Powerball prize in Kentucky history — was arrested early Sunday morning after police say they found him asleep in a running vehicle parked outside a Walmart in Georgetown, Kentucky.
Arrest at a Walmart Parking Lot
Authorities say officers discovered Farthing at about 4:04 a.m. and determined he was impaired, citing bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech, and difficulty maintaining his balance. Officers reported detecting the smell of alcohol and marijuana and booked him on a charge of intoxication in public (People).
According to WHAS11, CCTV footage reviewed by investigators reportedly shows Farthing's Mustang arriving in the parking lot but does not show anyone exiting the vehicle before officers arrived. Farthing told police that a woman had driven him to the lot and left, a claim authorities say is not supported by the footage.
A Pattern of Arrests Since the Jackpot
This is Farthing's fifth arrest since winning the Powerball. His legal troubles began days after the April 2025 victory when he was taken into custody in Pinellas County, Florida, following a dispute at a resort. He was reportedly charged with battery and resisting arrest, and prosecutors said he kicked an officer who intervened.
Farthing was arrested again in February 2026 on a charge of intimidating a participant in the legal process. In March 2026 he faced accusations of second-degree burglary and marijuana possession after being accused of entering a Lexington home and taking roughly $12,000 in cash. In July 2026 he was arrested in Scott County following an alleged domestic-violence incident and was charged with first-degree strangulation and several other domestic-violence-related counts, including fourth-degree assault and causing minor injury.
Authorities say the most recent arrest, reportedly on September 20, 2026, is his fifth since the Powerball win. Farthing is being held at the Scott County Detention Center in Georgetown, Kentucky.
Note: Charges are allegations; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Sources: People, WHAS11.
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