James Farthing, the Kentucky man who won a $167 million Powerball jackpot in April 2025, has been arrested on domestic violence charges including strangulation and assault. The arrest on Monday marks the fourth criminal case Farthing has faced since his lottery win.
According to an arrest warrant, the alleged victim told police that an altercation occurred after a boating trip on Sunday. The argument escalated into a physical confrontation, during which Farthing allegedly wrapped his hands around her neck and choked her. Police noted visible welts on the woman's neck.
Farthing pleaded not guilty on Tuesday and was ordered held on a $15,000 cash bond. He was also ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device and have no contact with the alleged victim. His case is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on August 27.
This is not Farthing's first encounter with law enforcement since his lottery win. Just days after his jackpot win in April 2025, he was arrested in Florida for allegedly assaulting a police officer. This led to a parole violation conviction, and he served two months in jail.
Public records indicate Farthing has a history of legal issues, with 30 years spent in prison prior to his lottery win for offenses including jail escape and burglary. After his release in June 2025, following the alleged assault on a police officer, he was arrested again on February 11 in Kentucky. In that incident, a woman reported that individuals were threatening her with a weapon. Police found marijuana and a gun at the scene. The woman told officers she felt pressured by Farthing to consume a substance referred to as a 'gummy.'
Farthing's criminal history dates back to 1994 and includes alleged offenses such as choking a former girlfriend, bribing officers while incarcerated, and selling cocaine to an undercover officer. Reports suggest that before winning the lottery, Farthing was involved in drug dealing and earned his GED while in prison.
His mother, Linda Grizzle, was also implicated in a plot with Farthing to smuggle marijuana into a maximum-security prison. Farthing accepted a plea deal that resulted in a 10-year sentence, which helped absolve his mother of charges.
Farthing split his lottery winnings with his mother, and at the time of his win, he expressed hope for a better future, stating he had made bad decisions in the past but was keeping his faith. However, his legal troubles continued. The incident in Florida involved Farthing allegedly punching another guest and then kicking a deputy who intervened. He was also charged with violating parole for leaving Kentucky without informing his parole officer.
His lottery winnings reportedly helped cover an $11,000 bail in the Florida case. After initially pleading not guilty, Farthing waived his right to hearings and opted to serve his sentence, leading to his release in June 2025.
Farthing's extensive criminal record spans over three decades and includes eight arrests.