Kentucky Powerball winner James Farthing has been arrested for the fifth time since claiming a record $167.3 million lottery jackpot in 2025. The 51-year-old was taken into custody early Sept. 20 after deputies reportedly found him asleep inside a running Ford Mustang in a Walmart parking lot in Georgetown, Kentucky. He was charged with alcohol intoxication in a public place.
Deputies Find Farthing Asleep in Running Vehicle
Authorities were called shortly before 3 a.m. after a report of a white Ford Mustang with a temporary registration tag stopped in the middle of an intersection near Cherry Blossom Way and Connector Road.
The vehicle later moved into a nearby Walmart parking lot and stopped close to electric vehicle charging stations.
According to the arrest citation, deputies arrived around 4:04 a.m. and found Farthing alone in the passenger seat of the running Mustang. Officers reportedly had to knock several times on the window before he woke up.
Deputies said they observed several signs that Farthing appeared impaired, including bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech and difficulty maintaining his balance. Authorities also reported smelling alcohol and marijuana.
Farthing reportedly told deputies that a woman had driven him to the parking lot and left. However, officers reviewing surveillance footage said the vehicle arrived without anyone getting out before law enforcement reached the scene.
Authorities subsequently arrested Farthing and transported him to the Scott County Detention Center.
Fifth Arrest Since Winning $167.3 Million Powerball Jackpot
Farthing and his mother were announced as winners of Kentucky’s largest-ever Powerball jackpot in April 2025. The winning ticket was worth approximately $167.3 million.
His latest arrest follows several other encounters with law enforcement since the jackpot win.
Only days after receiving the lottery prize, Farthing was arrested in Florida following an altercation at a resort. He faced charges that included battery and resisting an officer after authorities said he became involved in a confrontation with another person.
In February 2026, Farthing was arrested in Kentucky on a charge involving alleged intimidation of a participant in a legal proceeding. The following month, he was arrested on burglary and marijuana possession allegations connected to a Lexington case.
Those burglary and drug-related charges were later dropped, according to local reporting.
July Domestic Violence Case
Farthing’s fourth arrest since his lottery win occurred in July in Scott County. He was charged with first-degree strangulation and fourth-degree assault related to an alleged domestic violence incident.
According to allegations reported at the time, Farthing and another person had an argument after returning from a boating trip. The alleged victim told authorities that Farthing placed both hands around their neck and restricted their breathing.
Farthing pleaded not guilty during a July court appearance. His bond was set at $15,000, and he was ordered to stay away from the alleged victim and wear an electronic monitoring device.
The latest public intoxication case adds another legal matter to the series of arrests involving the Kentucky lottery winner since his multimillion-dollar jackpot win.
