A Kentucky man who made history last year as Kentucky’s largest Powerball winner is back in legal trouble following a midnight standoff that left a woman hiding under a desk in fear.
James Farthing, who took home a staggering $167 million jackpot in April 2025, was arrested on February 11 after a gathering at his home took a dark turn.
The incident began when Scott County sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call from a woman who claimed people at the residence were armed and planned to hurt her. Upon arrival, officers conducted a sweep of the property, eventually discovering the woman trembling beneath a desk.
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According to police records, she appeared intoxicated and told investigators she was “in fear for her life.”
During a search of the home, deputies reportedly found a .380 caliber handgun stashed inside clothing in a dryer, along with ammunition, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. Farthing denied owning the weapon.
The woman later told police that Farthing had picked her up from Lexington for a get-together but began pressuring her to consume an unidentified “gummy.” Uncertain of what the substance was, she reportedly refused and eventually sought a place to hide.
This isn’t Farthing’s first brush with the law since his windfall. Just days after winning the $167 million prize—a victory he famously shared with his mother—Farthing was arrested in Florida.
That incident involved an altercation on a beach during his victory celebrations, resulting in charges of felony battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. While he initially sought a jury trial for those charges, he later opted to serve his sentence.
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The latest arrest took a further turn at Georgetown Community Hospital, where the woman was being evaluated.
While she was speaking with authorities, Farthing allegedly sent her a text message reading, “Why would you do this to me, unreal I’d never hurt u.” Police seized his phone, citing the message as an attempt to contact a victim during active legal proceedings.
Farthing maintained his innocence to officers on the scene, claiming the woman had been “perfectly fine” before she disappeared from the group. He told deputies he had actually been worried about her and was looking for her when they arrived.
After his win last year, Farthing spoke to local media about moving past “bad decisions” and starting a new chapter. However, he now faces a new set of legal hurdles. Farthing posted a $5,000 cash bond and is scheduled to appear in court on April 2.
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