Watch: $167 million Powerball winner arrested after kicking Florida deputy – bodycam video released

A recent incident involving a Kentucky Powerball winner has drawn attention after body camera footage released by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office appeared to show him kicking a deputy in the face during a confrontation at a Florida resort.

James Farthing, 50, was arrested on April 29 at the Tradewinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida. He was charged with one felony count of battery on a law enforcement officer, along with two misdemeanor counts of simple battery and resisting an officer. The footage shows deputies responding to a disturbance and encountering two men fighting, with a woman on the ground nearby.


Deputies said Farthing allegedly punched another hotel guest during an argument. When one of the deputies attempted to intervene, Farthing allegedly kicked him in the face before trying to flee the scene. A taser was deployed, and Farthing was subdued and taken into custody. “No shirt comes over to kick him, misses and hits me right here,” the deputy is heard saying in the video.

Companion also arrested for disorderly conduct

Farthing’s girlfriend, Jacqueline Fightmaster, was also arrested and charged with one misdemeanor count of disorderly intoxication. Authorities stated she was attempting to fight other patrons in the resort bar.

Incident follows record-breaking lottery win

The arrests occurred shortly after Farthing and his mother, Linda Grizzle, won a $167.3 million Powerball jackpot in Kentucky — the largest ever awarded in the state. Farthing had purchased the winning $2 ticket at a gas station in Georgetown, Kentucky.

Previous convictions and ongoing sentence

At the time of his arrest in Florida, Farthing was on parole for charges in Kentucky. In June, he waived his right to a probable cause hearing and chose to serve the remainder of his sentence. He is expected to be released later this month. According to reports, Farthing has a long criminal record with convictions in nine Kentucky counties, including offenses such as assault, bribery, and drug trafficking.