A Kentucky man who recently won the Powerball lottery was arrested in Florida just days later following a bar fight that reportedly turned violent at a beachfront resort.
James Farthing, 50, of Kentucky, was celebrating his April 26 lottery win at TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida, when he and his girlfriend, Jacqueline Fightmaster, 42, allegedly became involved in a physical altercation with another guest, according to an arrest affidavit.
Farthing, who won the Powerball after purchasing a $2 ticket with his mother, Linda Grizzle, was taken into custody by Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies. During the attempted arrest, Farthing allegedly kicked a deputy in the face.
His girlfriend, Fightmaster, was also arrested and charged with misdemeanor disorderly intoxication. According to her affidavit, she was “trying to fight the other patrons at the bar” and was “yelling, screaming, and making incoherent statements” during the incident.
Kentucky lottery celebration ends in Florida arrest
Farthing’s initial lottery win had been celebrated publicly, with photos showing him alongside Grizzle and Fightmaster holding a ceremonial check. That celebration took a turn when the couple traveled to Florida in the days following the win.
The charges against Farthing and Fightmaster have not yet been adjudicated. Officials have not released information on whether Farthing faces additional charges for the alleged assault on law enforcement.
Both individuals were booked into the Pinellas County Jail. Their bond status and court dates were not immediately available.