Gillum Drug Charges
Former Florida Gubernatorial Candidate Andrew Gillum Arrested in Alabama on Drug Charges
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Key Points
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Police stopped Gillum around 10:45 p.m. on July 2 in Daphne, Alabama, and recovered three grams of methamphetamine, eight pre-rolled marijuana joints, a bong and multiple pipes from his car, prompting a probable-cause search.
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Gillum was booked on felony possession of a controlled substance and two misdemeanor counts (possession of drug paraphernalia and second-degree possession of marijuana); he posted a combined bond of about $6,500 and was released July 3.
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The Daphne Police Department redacted the narrative portion of the arrest report, and has not publicly shared additional details about the events leading up to the arrest.
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After his arrest, Gillum participated in a July 4 ESSENCE Festival panel in New Orleans and did not address the arrest; he remains a co-host of the Native Land Pod.
Former Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, 46, was arrested on drug charges in Daphne, Alabama, on July 2 after police pulled over his car for erratic driving, according to The National Desk. Officers found three grams of methamphetamine, eight pre-rolled marijuana joints, a bong, and multiple pipes inside his vehicle.
Gillum was booked on one felony count of possession of a controlled substance and two misdemeanor counts — marijuana possession and drug paraphernalia, according to Cassius Life. He posted a combined bond of roughly $6,500 and was released from Baldwin County jail on July 3.
Traffic Stop Leads to Probable-Cause Vehicle Search
Daphne police stopped Gillum around 10:45 p.m. on July 2, according to iPower Richmond. The erratic driving gave officers grounds to conduct a probable-cause search of his car. That search turned up the methamphetamine, marijuana joints, a bong, and multiple pipes.
The Daphne Police Department redacted the narrative section of the arrest report, according to Metro Weekly. That means key details about what happened leading up to the stop have not been made public. Police have not offered additional comments.
Gillum's 2020 Hotel Incident Resurfaces Amid New Charges
Reporters have pointed back to a 2020 incident in which Gillum was found in a Miami Beach hotel room with two men, one of whom had overdosed on drugs, according to Cassius Life. The episode ended his CNN commentator role and led to a federal investigation.
Gillum faced federal charges related to that investigation but was acquitted on some counts in 2022. The Alabama arrest now adds a new legal chapter to a string of public controversies that have followed the one-time political star since his 2018 campaign.
Obama's Endorsed 2018 Candidate Now Far From the Spotlight
Gillum rose to national fame as mayor of Tallahassee and became Barack Obama's endorsed pick for Florida governor in 2018, according to The National Desk. He narrowly lost that race to Ron DeSantis. Political analysts once called him a Democratic "golden boy" with a bright future.
The arrest has drawn wide attention given that high-profile past, according to Metro Weekly. Gillum is described by the outlet as bisexual and has been open about personal struggles since the 2020 hotel incident.
Gillum Appears at ESSENCE Festival, Stays Silent on Arrest
Just two days after his arrest, Gillum appeared on a panel at the ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans on July 4, according to iPower Richmond. He did not address the Alabama charges publicly at the event. He remains a co-host of the Native Land Pod.
His next court date has not been publicly announced. The felony charge carries more serious potential consequences than the two misdemeanor counts. Gillum has not released a public statement about the arrest, according to Cassius Life.
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