Woman calls police "in fear for her life" at winner's residence

By Kate Northrop

GEORGETOWN, Ky. — The Kentucky lottery winner who scooped a $167.3 million Powerball jackpot last year has been arrested again, adding yet another charge to his already extensive criminal track record.

$167.3 million Powerball jackpot winner James Farthing has been jailed a second time since his win when a woman called police "in fear for her life."

Farthing was arrested in the days following his prize claim after punching a Florida beach resort customer, kicking an officer in the face, and fleeing from authorities during the ensuing scuffle.

He's been apprehended again for allegedly intimidating a woman who reported feeling threatened in his home.

At around midnight on Wednesday, Feb. 11, police arrived at Farthing's residence on Cynthiana Road in Georgetown. They had received a call from a female caller who told deputies that "she believed the occupants of the house she was at had a weapon and were going to harm her," arrest records state. "Deputies arrived and secured the residence and all six occupants. Units entered the residence and began to conduct a proactive sweep."

Authorities found ammunition laying out and discovered the woman "hiding under a desk," who responders said appeared "intoxicated and extremely fearful," as well as "catatonic."

The woman was transported to Centerpoint Health Georgetown for further evaluation, and it was there that she revealed that "Farthing had picked her up at her home in Lexington for a pre-arranged get together," the citation reads.

During questioning, she recalled being given a "gummy" that Farthing pressured her to take.

"She stated she wasn't sure what the gummy was, as she doesn't normally partake," the officer wrote in his report. She then sought a place to hide.

While she was being questioned, she received a text message from Farthing, which read, "Why would you do this to me unreal id never hurt u."

Since the woman was a participant in a legal proceeding, units on the scene at Farthing's residence seized his phone.

Authorities executed a search warrant for his home, resulting in the discovery of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a .38 caliber handgun in an article of clothing sitting in a dryer. While another resident said the drugs belonged to them, Farthing denied owning the gun.

Farthing told investigators that he didn't know why she suddenly became afraid, stating "she had been perfectly fine prior to her disappearance from the group." He had "repeatedly" tried to text her in an attempt to locate her prior to police arriving at the home.

According to the citation, he was charged with intimidating a participant in a legal process, a Class D felony. He was arrested and held at Scott County Detention Center on a $5,000 bond.

His court arraignment is scheduled for April 2.

(Click to display full-size in gallery)Farthing, seen in his most recent mugshot, owns a lengthy rap sheet dating back to 1994, and he has spent over 30 years of his life in prison for offenses including jail escapes, burglaries, and drug dealing.