The man behind Kentucky’s largest-ever Powerball jackpot has been unmasked — and his rap sheet is almost as staggering as his winnings.
James Shannon Farthing, 50, spent more than half his life — 30 years — in 25 different prisons before hitting the $167.3 million jackpot in April, according to a report by The Smoking Gun. Alongside his 77-year-old mother, Linda Grizzle, and girlfriend, Jacqueline Fightmaster, Farthing claimed the prize and turned overnight millionaire — but his past is far from clean.
Farthing has a lengthy criminal history, with convictions across nine Kentucky counties. His record includes everything from theft and reckless driving in his teens to more serious offenses in adulthood, like strangling a girlfriend, bribing prison officers, and selling cocaine to an undercover cop. He also once took a plea deal in a marijuana smuggling case that spared his mother from prosecution.
Despite repeated attempts at parole, his consistent drug use, smuggling offenses, and bullying behavior behind bars kept him in and out of administrative segregation. Even after earning his GED in prison, Farthing’s pattern of violations and failed drug tests followed him through the years.
But the criminal behavior didn’t stop after the Powerball win.
Just three days after cashing in the jackpot, Farthing was arrested in Florida for allegedly punching another guest and kicking a deputy. He violated his parole by leaving Kentucky without notifying his parole officer — a condition required due to his extensive record. Part of his winnings was reportedly used to cover his $11,000 bail.
Farthing, recently released from a Kentucky jail, is now facing new charges in Florida. He’s due in court on July 14 and could face up to five years in prison for the remaining battery charge related to the deputy assault.
His collection of mug shots, chronicling his transformation over the decades, tells a story of a man who has spent most of his life behind bars — and whose newfound wealth hasn’t kept him out of trouble.
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