Welcome to Arrest Stories. A Kentucky Powerball jackpot winner finds himself behind bars for the fourth time since claiming a life-changing fortune. Heres what may have happened.
In Scott County, Kentucky, on July twenty-seven, fifty-one-year-old James Farthing was arrested on charges of first-degree strangulation and fourth-degree assault, both classified as domestic violence offenses. The alleged incident took place the day before, on July twenty-six.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the Scott County Sheriffs Office, deputies were dispatched after a woman called to report she was being assaulted at a home on Cynthiana Road. Deputy Zachary Bryant noted in the complaint that the woman told investigators she and Farthing had returned from a boating trip around nine a.m. when a verbal argument turned physical. The woman reported that Farthing placed both hands on her neck, leaving her unable to breathe. Deputy Bryant documented visible welts on the right side of the victims neck. The woman also told deputies the incident may have been captured on a Ring camera located in the bedroom.
Farthing was booked into the Scott County Detention Center. The following day, Tuesday July twenty-eight, a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf in Scott County District Court. The Commonwealth requested a cash bond of one hundred thousand dollars, along with an alcohol-monitoring bracelet and biweekly substance use screenings. The defense pushed back, requesting a five thousand dollar bond. His attorney argued Farthing was not a flight risk, stating, he shouldnt be treated differently just because of everyones knowledge of him.
The Commonwealth responded that their bond request was not intended to single Farthing out, but to address his ongoing criminal activity and community safety. Judge Sarah Hays Spedding set bond at fifteen thousand dollars cash, citing his charges and risk level.
Farthing is required to wear a monitoring device equipped with a buddy tag that will alert the victim if he comes near her. When Farthing asked the judge for clarification on the device, he responded, yeah, im not going close to her.
This arrest marks the fourth time Farthing has faced criminal charges since winning the one hundred sixty-seven point three million dollar Powerball jackpot on April twenty-six, twenty twenty-five, after purchasing a two dollar ticket from Clarks Pump N Shop in Georgetown, Kentucky. Prior arrests include an April twenty twenty-five incident in Pinellas County, Florida, where he pleaded guilty to battery and resisting an officer, a February twenty twenty-six arrest for intimidating a participant in the legal process, and a March twenty twenty-six arrest on charges of second-degree burglary and marijuana possession. An open Fayette County case for leaving the scene of a crash also remains on record.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for August twenty-seventh at one thirty p.m.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.