ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. —Newly released body camera footage shows Florida deputies arresting a recent Kentucky Powerball jackpot winner after he allegedly kicked a deputy in the face during a disturbance at a beachfront resort.
James Farthing, 50, was taken into custody on April 29 and charged with one felony count of battery on a law enforcement officer, along with two misdemeanor counts of simple battery and resisting an officer.
His girlfriend, Jacqueline Fightmaster, was also arrested and charged with one misdemeanor count of disorderly intoxication. Authorities say she attempted to fight other patrons inside the resort’s bar.
Altercation at Resort Leads to Arrest
Deputies with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fight at the Tradewinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, where they found two men fighting and a woman on the ground. Farthing allegedly punched another hotel guest during an argument.
Body camera video released Tuesday appears to show Farthing kicking a deputy in the face while the officer tried to break up the brawl. “No shirt comes over to kick him, misses, and hits me right here,” the deputy is heard saying in the footage.
Farthing reportedly attempted to flee the scene but was stopped after deputies deployed a taser and tackled him. The other man involved in the fight was also detained.
Recent Jackpot Win Overshadowed
The arrests occurred just days after Farthing and his mother, Linda Grizzle, claimed the largest Powerball jackpot in Kentucky history — a $167.3 million prize from a $2 ticket purchased at a Georgetown gas station.
A celebratory photo released by Powerball shows Farthing and Grizzle holding the ceremonial check, with Fightmaster standing alongside them.
Criminal Record and Parole Status
At the time of his arrest, Farthing was on parole for charges in Kentucky. In June, he waived his right to a probable cause hearing and requested to serve the remainder of his sentence. He is expected to be released later this month.
Farthing’s criminal history spans three decades and nine Kentucky counties, with convictions for offences including assault, bribery of correctional officers, and selling cocaine to an undercover officer.