A Kentucky man who won a $167.3 million Powerball jackpot has been arrested for the fifth time since claiming his earnings.

James Farthing, 51, was taken into custody early Sunday after deputies allegedly found him asleep in a running Mustang in a Walmart parking lot in Georgetown 15 miles north of Lexington.

Deputies were called just before 3am after receiving a report of a white Mustang with a temporary tag stopped in the middle of an intersection as the caller later told dispatchers that the vehicle moved and was now parked in a nearby Walmart lot.

When deputies arrived, they found the Mustang parked near an electric-vehicle charging station with its engine still running, Farthing was alone and asleep inside, according to a citation from the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies repeatedly knocked on the car window before Farthing eventually woke up and when he emerged, authorities said he showed several signs of intoxication.

He smelled of alcohol and marijuana, had bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech and difficulty maintaining his balance, according to the citation.

Farthing told police that a woman had driven him to the Walmart and left him there, but surveillance footage allegedly showed the Mustang pull into the parking lot without anyone getting out before deputies arrived.

In the citation, deputies described Farthing as ‘manifestly under the influence of alcohol’ and said he posed a danger to himself and others because he may have operated the vehicle while impaired.

James Farthing, 51, was taken into custody early Sunday after deputies allegedly found him asleep and intoxicated behind the wheel in a running Mustang in a Walmart parking lot in Georgetown

The arrest marks the latest in a remarkable series of encounters with police since Farthing won Kentucky’s largest-ever Powerball jackpot in April 2025. He bought the winning $2 ticket at Clark’s Pump N Shop in Georgetown and initially said he planned to split the fortune with his mother. But just days after his life-changing win, Farthing found himself behind bars

Farthing’s first arrest came in Florida in the early hours of Wednesday, May 1, 2025 only days after the Powerball drawing. He had been staying at the TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach when he became involved in an altercation with another man

Farthing was arrested shortly after 4am and charged with alcohol intoxication in a public place.

He was taken to the Scott County Detention Center, with the latest case now pending in Scott County District Court.

Farthing is no stranger to run-ins with the law, the arrest is the fifth time since he won Kentucky’s largest-ever Powerball jackpot in April 2025.

Farthing bought the winning ticket at Clark’s Pump N Shop in Georgetown and opted to split the $167.3 million prize money with his mother.

At the time, he appeared stunned by the sudden fortune. ‘I still don’t believe it’s real,’ Farthing told WLKY shortly after winning.

He added that he had caused his mother ‘a lot of stress’ but said he had ‘kept my faith and done right.’

Yet his extraordinary change in fortune was followed almost immediately by trouble with the law.

Just days after claiming his golden ticket winnings, Farthing found himself behind bars in Florida following an altercation at the TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach.

According to an arrest affidavit, deputies arrived at the resort after reports of a fight. Farthing was accused of punching the other man before turning on the officers who attempted to intervene

In February 2026, Farthing was arrested again in Georgetown. Deputies had responded to a home after a woman called 911 saying she feared that people inside had a weapon and wanted to hurt her

Farthing’s third arrest came in March. He was charged with second-degree burglary and marijuana possession 

According to police, officers were attempting to break up a fight when Farthing allegedly kicked a Pinellas County sheriff’s deputy in the face.

He then allegedly tried to flee before officers used a Taser. Farthing later pleaded guilty and received a sentence of time served and a $1,000 fine.

But his legal troubles did not end there, his second arrest came in February 2026 in Georgetown when woman called 911, telling authorities she feared for her safety as people inside a home might harm her.

Authorities found the woman hiding beneath a desk. She told investigators that Farthing had picked her up for a gathering and allegedly pressured her into taking a ‘gummy.’

During a search of Farthing’s home, authorities reported finding a handgun, ammunition, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

And Farthing was arrested again in March and charged with second-degree burglary and marijuana possession.

Police alleged that security-camera footage showed him entering a Lexington home, where he was accused of stealing around $12,000 in cash.

One of the Fayette County criminal cases involving burglary and marijuana possession was later dismissed, according to WLEX.

Farthing was arrested for a fourth time in July following allegations of domestic violence. According to the criminal complaint, Farthing and a woman had been on a boat trip before an argument allegedly turned physical. Farthing pleaded not guilty but was ultimately charged with first degree strangulation and fourth degree assult

His fourth arrest came in July where he was charged with first-degree strangulation and fourth-degree assault following allegations involving a woman with whom he had been on a boat trip.

According to the criminal complaint, the pair argued after returning from the trip before Farthing allegedly put both hands around the woman’s neck and restricted her breathing.

Farthing pleaded not guilty. A judge set his bond at $15,000, ordered him to have no contact with the alleged victim and required him to wear an electronic monitoring device.

Now, only months later, Farthing has been arrested again on account of alcohol intoxication in a public place.

The circumstances are markedly different from some of the more serious allegations he has previously faced, but the arrest nevertheless makes it the fifth time he has been taken into custody since winning his multimillion-dollar jackpot.

He is now facing the public intoxication charge in Scott County District Court and is due to be arraigned on the latest charge Tuesday.

Farthing’s latest case remains pending, and the allegations in his various criminal cases have not all resulted in convictions.