Kentucky Powerball jackpot winners holding a $167.3 million check.
Share this @internewscast.com

A POWERBALL winner who scored a multi-million dollar prize has spent over three decades in and out of jail. 

James Shannon Farthing, aged 50, claimed Kentucky’s largest lottery prize, taking home a $167.3 million jackpot, only to be arrested shortly thereafter in Florida.

Kentucky Powerball jackpot winners holding a $167.3 million check.
James Shannon Farthing (center) won Kentucky’s largest jackpotCredit: WKYT
Mugshot of James Shannon Farthing, winner of Kentucky's largest lottery jackpot.
The lottery winner has been arrested dozens of times in the past 30 yearsCredit: Kentucky Library
Kentucky lottery winner with his mother holding a winning Powerball ticket.
Farthing (left) and his mother live in Kentucky togetherCredit: WKYT

Farthing has spent 30 years living behind bars at 25 different correctional facilities, The Smoking Gun reported. 

The winner, who has a criminal record, secured the jackpot by buying a $2 lottery ticket from a convenience store close to his residence, where he lives with his 77-year-old mother, Linda Grizzle.

Just days following his substantial win, Farthing chose to head to Florida with his girlfriend, neglecting to confirm with his parole officer whether the trip was permitted.

Only one day into the vacation, Farthing allegedly got into an altercation with another guest at the TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach.

During the altercation, the guest accused Farthing of punching them in the face.

When a cop tried to break the fight up, the lottery winner allegedly kicked the officer in the face.

Deputy Nicholas Areostatico wrote that Farthing “attempted to flee on foot out of the hotel.”

Areostatico, whom Farthing allegedly kicked, described facial pain and swelling under his eye. 

Following the encounter, Farthing was booked for battery on a law enforcement officer, a felony, and misdemeanor counts of resisting police and battery.

A fugitive warrant was also issued for the individual, as he had violated his parole without obtaining travel permission.

Lottery officials issue warning to check numbers as nearly $800k ticket still unclaimed – slip was sold at supermarket

Farthing was released on a $11,000 bond from the Florida case after he pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for an arraignment on July 14. 

LENGTHY RAP SHEET

Farthing has a 16-page rap sheet that includes a number of drug and assault convictions. 

The Kentucky man has been convicted of strangling a previous girlfriend, selling cocaine to an undercover police informant, escaping from a prison work detail, and bribing a corrections officer to deliver Xanax and Oxycodone into a state facility.

Farthing was also convicted of possessing stolen firearms and working with his mother in a marijuana smuggling plot.

Top lottery winners in the US

Millions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery history.

  • Edwin Castro – $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 8, 2022, in California.
  • Theodorus Struyck – $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, in California.
  • Unknown winner – $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, in Florida.
  • Marvin and Mae Acosta from Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson from Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt from Melbourne Beach, Florida – $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016.
  • Unknown winner – $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
  • Unknown winner – he sued the mother of his child to keep his identity hidden – $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023, from Maine.
  • Unknown winner – $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.
  • Cheng and Duanpen Saephan, and Laiza Liem Chao – $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
  • Rosemary Casarotti – $1.22 billion, Mega Millions, December 27 2024, from California
  • Unknown winner – $1.13 billion, Mega Millions, March 26, from New Jersey

In return for his guilty plea, the charges were dropped against his mother

While in prison, he continued to break the law as he racked up a record of assaults, narcotics possession, loansharking, gambling, drug smuggling, and positive tests for alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and depressants. 

Farthing was also written up for having an inappropriate relationship with a female canteen staffer and for charging inmates for returning stolen items.

During his time in prison, Farthing bribed an officer to smuggle in packages containing tobacco, pot, painkillers, and more than 300 Xanax pills

His criminal history began during his teen years when he was convicted of theft, criminal mischief, reckless driving, and receiving stolen property.

The lottery winner only completed 10 years of school and got his GED in state prison.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Delta Air Lines Airbus A350-900 landing.

Delta Pilot Arrested Post-Landing at SFO, Surprising Passengers on Minneapolis Flight

A DELTA co-pilot has been taken into custody, with officers allegedly seen…
Bryan Kohberger sitting down in court. He

Expert Observes Bryan Kohberger’s Composure Falter as Families Challenge Him in Court

From the moment he entered the courtroom for his long-awaited sentencing for…
Florida county school board chair deletes comments celebrating Hulk Hogan's death as 'one less MAGA'

Florida School Board Chair Removes Comments Celebrating Hulk Hogan’s Passing, Referring to Him as ‘One Less MAGA’

Sarah Rockwell, the chair of a Florida county school board, issued an…
Renaming of military bases stirs debate over Confederate ties

Military Base Renaming Sparks Discussion on Confederate Links

In 2023, amid a national reckoning on issues of race in America,…
Donald Trump speaking at a meeting.

Donald Trump Asserts Gaza Isn’t Solely a ‘US Issue’ as Sir Keir Starmer Urges Him to Facilitate Peace

DONALD Trump yesterday insisted Gaza is not just a “US problem” —…
America's skies are wide open to national security threats, drone expert warns: 'We have no awareness'

Drone Expert Warns: America’s Skies Vulnerable to Security Threats Due to Lack of Awareness

As drone technology continues to progress at a rapid pace, experts in…
Mark Hamill talks 'The Long Walk' at San Diego Comic-Con: 'everyone will hate my guts' 

Mark Hamill Discusses ‘The Long Walk’ at San Diego Comic-Con: ‘People Will Despise Me’

Mark Hamill, Garrett Wareing and more share their take on the film’s…
The US and EU announce a trade framework after Trump holds tariff talks with top European official at Scotland trip

US and EU Establish New Trade Framework Following Trump’s Tariff Discussions with European Leader in Scotland

The United States and the European Union revealed a new trade framework…
Zac Brown and Kendra Scott’s plan for her $6.7M Austin home after engagement announcement

Zac Brown and Kendra Scott’s $6.7M Austin Home Plans Revealed Following Engagement News

Zac Brown and jewelry designer Kendra Scott are now engaged after the…
Secret Service thwarts potential threat near Trump's White House grounds with rapid response

Secret Service Swiftly Neutralizes Possible Threat Near Trump’s White House

The U.S. Secret Service announced on Sunday night that they have taken…
'King of the Hill' cast talks Comic-Con return, series revival, fan love and how Hank Hill would totally side-eye cosplay.

“‘King of the Hill’ Cast Discusses Comic-Con Comeback, Show Revival, Fan Appreciation, and Hank Hill’s Take on Cosplay”

For the team behind “King of the Hill,” coming back to San…
Vladimir Putin speaking at a naval parade.

Putin Abruptly Calls Off Naval Parade Amid Substantial War Losses as Trump’s Frustration Grows

VLADIMIR Putin has mysteriously cancelled his annual naval parade at the last-minute…