Powerball Winner Arrested Again on Burglary Charge

James Farthing, who won $167 million in 2025, faces his fourth arrest since claiming the jackpot.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:52am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled wad of cash, the texture and details of the bills dramatically illuminated by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the challenges of managing a large lottery windfall.The burglary charges against a recent Powerball winner expose the risks of sudden wealth and the need for better support systems to help lottery winners transition responsibly.Lexington Today

James Farthing, a 51-year-old man who won a $167 million Powerball prize in 2025, has been arrested on a charge of burglary after he was accused of breaking into a home in Lexington, Kentucky. This is Farthing's fourth arrest since winning the huge jackpot.

Why it matters

Farthing's repeated legal troubles since winning the lottery raise questions about the challenges some people face in managing sudden wealth and the potential impact on public safety when lottery winners engage in criminal behavior.

The details

According to police, a homeowner's security cameras showed Farthing unlawfully entering a residence and taking $12,000 in cash. Farthing was later arrested in the parking lot of a local gaming and racing facility, where police found remnants of marijuana cigarettes in his black Porsche. Farthing has two other open criminal cases in Kentucky, one for intimidating a participant in the legal process and another connected to a November 2025 hit-and-run collision.

  • Farthing won the $167 million Powerball jackpot in 2025.
  • Farthing was arrested just days after winning the Powerball lottery in 2025 for reportedly kicking a deputy in the face.
  • Farthing was arrested on the burglary charge on Saturday, March 29, 2026.

The players

James Farthing

A 51-year-old man who won a $167 million Powerball prize in 2025 and has since been arrested multiple times, including on the current burglary charge.

Lexington Police Department

The law enforcement agency that arrested Farthing on the burglary charge after he was accused of breaking into a home and stealing $12,000 in cash.

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What’s next

Farthing pleaded not guilty to the burglary and marijuana possession charges during his court appearance on Monday. The judge will decide whether to grant him bail on the new charges.

The takeaway

Farthing's repeated legal troubles since winning the lottery highlight the challenges some people face in managing sudden wealth and the potential impact on public safety when lottery winners engage in criminal behavior. This case raises questions about the support systems and resources needed to help lottery winners transition to their new financial circumstances in a responsible manner.