According to police, Farthing allegedly broke into a woman's home in Lexington and stole $12,000. Authorities said he was captured on surveillance cameras at the side door before unlawfully entering, and the victim reported hearing a loud noise consistent with a door being busted open, later discovering the money missing. Police found Farthing at a casino and harness-racing track and took him into custody; they added the drug charge after searching his car and finding marijuana and multiple blunts, including one burnt out in the vehicle's ashtray.
Farthing, his mother, and girlfriend won the Powerball jackpot in April 2025, leaving them with the decision to collect the full amount in annual increments over 29 years or immediately in a one-time lump sum of $77.3 million. According to major media reports, Farthing and his family said they would talk with a financial adviser before choosing the better option for them, and Farthing had spent most of his life in and out of incarceration before winning the lottery.
I'm always buying [lottery tickets] 'cause I'm like, 'Somebody's gotta win.'
In previous incidents, officials in Florida said Farthing hit a hotel guest in the face, kicked a deputy, and violated his parole conditions by leaving Kentucky without permission. He pleaded guilty to the Florida case in early March as part of a deal requiring him to pay $1,000 in fines but sparing him any additional jail time. In February, Kentucky authorities arrested Farthing on allegations that he tried to intimidate a participant of a legal process. Investigators said the alleged victim reported meeting Farthing and being pressured into ingesting a marijuana edible, and the woman later reportedly called police and reported that people with a weapon wanted to hurt her. Officers who responded to the scene alleged that they found marijuana and a gun, and police accused Farthing of sending her a text message during questioning; according to The Guardian - World, James Farthing described the message as questioning why she would do this to him and stating he would never hurt her.
Farthing was tentatively due in court in the burglary case on Monday and on the intimidation charge on Thursday. It remains unknown whether Farthing and his family chose the lump sum or annuity option for the lottery prize, and the current status of his legal cases, including any convictions or pending trials, has not been confirmed.
Why would you do this to me? Unreal. I'd never hurt you.