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James Farthing, 51, a former convict who won $167.5 million in Kentucky's Power Ball, is now facing theft charges in the commonwealth.
Farthing, from Georgetown, Kentucky, was arrested at the Island Grand in St. Petersburg last May, just days after learning his Power Ball ticket was a winner. He plead guilty to that crime earlier this month.
He is now accused of breaking into a Lexington home and stealing $12,000.
Saturday's arrest on counts of burglary and illicit marijuana possession reportedly was at least his third since winning Kentucky’s most lucrative lottery prize ever.
Farthing was allegedly captured on video surveillance entering the woman's home.
The break-in victim heard a loud noise consistent with a door being busted open, and she realized $12,000 was missing from the home after Farthing broke in, officers alleged in the citation.
Police later found Farthing at a casino and harness-racing track and took him into custody in connection with the alleged burglary. The marijuana was allegedly found in Farthing's vehicle.
Farthing had won the lottery along with his mother, Linda Grizzle. The former convict had purchased the ticket for her.
Grizzle spoke to the Lottery and joked that it would be a good Mother’s Day, saying that the win would allow her to first pay off her debt.
Immediately after winning, Farthing and his mother were in the process of reaching out to a financial advisor to determine how they should receive the funds.
A few days later, Farthing arrived in Saint Petersburg and reportedly went on a bender to celebrate hitting the jackpot. He became disruptive and got into a fight with someone at the resort. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office responded and attempted to break up the fight. Farthing allegedly kicked one of the intervening officers in the face. He then attempted to flee on foot, but law enforcement eventually caught up with him and booked him.
He was arrested and charged with resisting an officer without violence, battery on a law enforcement officer, battery, and parole violation for leaving the Commonwealth of Kentucky without permission.
Court documents show that Farthing signed a plea agreement on Feb. 24, pleading guilty to a lesser charge of misdemeanor battery. The maximum sentence would be a year in prison.
That same month, Kentucky police arrested him again.
From From The Guardian:
Kentucky authorities arrested Farthing on allegations that he tried to intimidate a participant of a legal process. Investigators said the alleged victim in that case reported meeting Farthing and being pressured into ingesting a marijuana edible. The woman later reportedly called police and reported that people with a weapon wanted to hurt her.
Court records and reports indicate that Farthing had previously been convicted of several crimes in the past, including:
- Theft
- Receiving stolen property
- Drug trafficking
- Promoting contraband in prison
- Escape
- Tampering with physical evidence
- Engaging in an organized criminal syndicate
He received a 14-year state prison sentence in Kentucky for an assortment of these felony charges.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
