Body camera footage from a Florida police officer shows a Kentucky Powerball jackpot winner, who collected his prize just hours before, getting arrested for allegedly kicking an officer in the face during a fight.
James Farthing and his girlfriend, Jacqueline Fightmaster, were arrested at the TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida, in April, according to an arrest affidavit and court records obtained and reviewed by USA TODAY.
Farthing, 50, is accused of punching another hotel guest in the face during an argument. A Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputy was trying to break up the fight when Farthing kicked him in the face, causing swelling and redness, the affidavit said.
Police accuse Farthing of trying to flee the scene. He was apprehended later, as seen in the bodycam footage from April.
According to a separate arrest affidavit, Farthing's girlfriend is accused of trying to fight other patrons in the resort bar.
“She appeared very intoxicated and was yelling, screaming and making incoherent statements,” the affidavit reads.
Farthing is charged with one felony count of battery on a law enforcement officer and two misdemeanor counts of battery and resisting an officer, according to online court records. Fightmaster is being charged with one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.
Farthing's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY.
See the bodycam video
On April 28, one day before his arrest, Farthing and his mother were announced as the winners of a $167.3 million Powerball jackpot.
The jackpot was the largest prize ever won in the history of Kentucky.
“It’s going to be a good Mother’s Day,” Farthing's mother, Linda Grizzle, told lottery officials. “This is going to pay off my debt.”
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bodycam shows Powerball winner being tackled, tased by police
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