Woman Calls Police “In Fear for Her Life” at Winner’s Home
Georgetown, Ky. — The Kentucky lottery winner who claimed a $167.3 million Powerball jackpot last year has been arrested again, adding another charge to his criminal record.
James Farthing, the $167.3 million Powerball winner, was jailed for a second time since his win after a woman called police saying she was “in fear for her life.”
Authorities previously arrested Farthing just days after he claimed his prize. In that incident, he allegedly punched a customer at a Florida beach resort, kicked an officer in the face and tried to flee during the confrontation.
Police have now taken him into custody again, accusing him of intimidating a woman who said she felt threatened inside his home.
Around midnight Wednesday, Feb. 11, officers responded to Farthing’s residence on Cynthiana Road in Georgetown. Deputies received a call from a woman who said “she believed the occupants of the house she was at had a weapon and were going to harm her,” according to arrest records. “Deputies arrived and secured the residence and all six occupants. Units entered the residence and began to conduct a proactive sweep.”
Officers reported finding ammunition in plain view and discovered the woman “hiding under a desk.” Responders described her as appearing “intoxicated and extremely fearful,” as well as “catatonic.”
Emergency personnel transported her to Centerpoint Health Georgetown for evaluation. There, she told authorities that Farthing had picked her up at her home in Lexington for a pre-arranged get-together, according to the citation.
During questioning, she said Farthing gave her a “gummy” and pressured her to take it.
“She stated she wasn’t sure what the gummy was, as she doesn’t normally partake,” an officer wrote in the report. She then looked for a place to hide.
While speaking with investigators, she received a text from Farthing that read, “Why would you do this to me unreal id never hurt u.”
Because the woman was involved in a legal proceeding, officers at the home seized Farthing’s phone.
Authorities later executed a search warrant at the residence and reported finding marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a .38 caliber handgun inside an article of clothing in a dryer. Another resident claimed ownership of the drugs, while Farthing denied the gun belonged to him.
Farthing told investigators he did not know why the woman became afraid, saying “she had been perfectly fine prior to her disappearance from the group.” He also said he had “repeatedly” texted her in an effort to locate her before police arrived.
According to the citation, officers charged Farthing with intimidating a participant in a legal process, a Class D felony. Authorities booked him into the Scott County Detention Center on a $5,000 bond.
His arraignment is scheduled for April 2.
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