GEORGETOWN, Ky. — The winner of Kentucky’s largest-ever Powerball jackpot has been arrested again, this time accused of strangling a woman during an argument following a boating trip, marking his fourth set of criminal charges since collecting the prize.

James Farthing, 51, of rural Kentucky (Georgetown area), was arrested Monday, July 27, 2026, by the Scott County Sheriff’s Office. He faces charges of first-degree strangulation (domestic violence) and fourth-degree assault (domestic violence, minor injury).

According to a criminal complaint, the incident occurred Sunday morning, July 26, after Farthing and the woman returned from a boating trip. A verbal argument turned physical when Farthing allegedly placed his hands around her neck, leaving visible welts and marks. The woman told deputies the attack may have been captured on a Ring camera inside the bedroom.

Farthing was booked into the Scott County Detention Center. On Tuesday, July 28, a not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Bond was set at $15,000 cash. He was ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim, wear a monitoring device, and appear for a preliminary hearing on August 27, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Farthing claimed the $167.3 million Powerball jackpot on April 28, 2025, after buying a $2 ticket at Clark’s Pump N Shop in Georgetown. It was Kentucky’s largest Powerball prize at the time. He shared the winnings with his mother, Linda Grizzle, who said at the time, “It’s going to be a good Mother’s Day. This is going to pay off my debt.”

Since the win, Farthing has faced repeated legal trouble:

• Days after claiming the prize in late April 2025, he was arrested in St. Pete Beach, Florida, and charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting after allegedly kicking a deputy in the head during a hotel-bar incident. He later pleaded guilty to those charges.
• In February 2026, he was arrested in Scott County on a charge of intimidating a participant in the legal process.
• In November 2025, he was involved in a high-speed hit-and-run in Lexington in which he allegedly rear-ended another vehicle while driving a Corvette over 100 mph and fled on foot; he was later indicted on related felony charges.
• In March 2026, he was arrested in Lexington on second-degree burglary and marijuana possession charges after allegedly entering a residence.

This latest arrest continues a pattern of legal issues for the sudden multi-millionaire, who had a prior criminal history before the jackpot. Local authorities have not released further details about the relationship between Farthing and the alleged victim.

Sources

• New York Post