Kentucky Powerball Winner Arrested for Fifth Time Since $167.3M Jackpot Win
Kentucky Powerball winner James Farthing is facing another arrest — his fifth since winning a record $167.3 million jackpot in April 2025.
Farthing, 51, was arrested Sunday morning in Georgetown after deputies reportedly found him asleep inside a running Mustang in a Walmart parking lot. The vehicle was near an EV charging station, and police said Farthing appeared intoxicated.
Officers were first called around 3 a.m. after reports of a white Mustang stopped in the middle of an intersection. The car later moved to the Walmart lot.
According to the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, deputies repeatedly knocked on the window before Farthing woke up. They said he showed several signs of impairment, including:
- Bloodshot, watery eyes
- Slurred speech
- Poor balance
- Strong smells of alcohol and marijuana
Farthing reportedly claimed a woman had driven him to the parking lot and left. However, surveillance footage allegedly did not show anyone getting out of the Mustang.
He was arrested shortly after 4 a.m. and charged with alcohol intoxication in a public place. The case remains pending.
A String of Legal Troubles
This latest arrest adds to a series of cases involving the jackpot winner.
- July 2025: Farthing was arrested in connection with domestic violence allegations, including first-degree strangulation and fourth-degree assault. He pleaded not guilty.
- Soon after his jackpot win: He was arrested in Florida following an altercation at a beach resort. He later pleaded guilty and received time served and $1,000 in fines.
- February 2026: He faced an intimidation charge after a woman contacted 911. Authorities later reported finding a handgun, ammunition, marijuana and drug paraphernalia at his home.
- March 2026: Farthing was charged with second-degree burglary and marijuana possession after police accused him of entering a Lexington home and stealing roughly $12,000.
One Fayette County case involving burglary and marijuana possession was later dismissed, according to WLEX.
Farthing first made headlines after winning Kentucky's largest-ever Powerball prize and saying he planned to share some of the money with his mother. His latest public-intoxication case is now pending in Scott County District Court.
