After claiming the life-changing Powerball jackpot of $167.3 million, a 50-year-old ex-convict, James Farthing, has now been arrested after allegedly kicking a deputy in the face. According to police, Farthing allegedly punched another man in the face following a heated argument, which prompted a deputy to attempt to break up the fight, causing the alleged kick.
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According to court records obtained by The Smoking Gun, the incident took place on Tuesday, April 29, at the TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida. During the evening, court records allege that Farthing punched a man during an argument. As the alleged brawl began to unfold, a Pinellas County deputy attempted to break up "an in progress fight between [Farthing] and another patron."
However, as Deputy Nicholas Areostatico attempted to do so, Farthing allegedly kicked him in the face. Aerostatico stated that he "observed the defendant winding up his right leg kicking your affiant in the face in an attempt to injure and or incapacitate myself." As per Aerostatico, he felt pain in his face, which had swollen up and was red under his right eye.
Further Details
The incident didn't stop there, however. As soon as the deputy was allegedly kicked by Farthing, the latter attempted to flee the scene. The deputy had already told him to turn around and place his hands behind his back.
At the same time, Farthing's girlfriend, Jacqueline Fightmaster, engaged in a heated argument with other guests and her boyfriend. Allegedly, she attempted to start fights, as per the documents. Allegedly, Fightmaster was "intoxicated," making incoherent statements while screaming and yelling.
As a result, James Farthing was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer, and battery. Farthing also allegedly violated his parole. He is an ex-convict and was on parole through August 2025, as per WKYT. His past convictions include drug charges, tampering with evidence, and engaging in organized crime, among others. His girlfriend, Jacqueline Fightmaster, was charged with public intoxication but has since been released.
One day before the incident, Farthing, Fightmaster, and Linda Grizzle, Farthing's mother, posed happily while claiming Farthing's jackpot. Farthing purchased the winning ticket from Georgetown's Clark's Pump n' Shoo. Days later, he found out that he had won $167.3 million. He claimed at the time that he was splitting the winnings with his mother, Linda.
