Former Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum was booked into the Baldwin County jail on Aug. 6 after allegedly missing a court-ordered drug test and then testing positive for meth during a court appearance. He was previously arrested in Daphne, Ala., on July 2, where authorities reported finding meth and other drug paraphernalia; he was released July 3. Gillum's next court date is Aug. 13. The developments follow earlier public episodes, including a 2020 hotel incident and a 2022 federal indictment that produced mixed jury outcomes in 2023.
Andrew Gillum Jailed After Missing Court Drug Test, Tests Positive for Meth
Andrew Gillum's mug shotCredit: Baldwin Co Sheriffs Office
Andrew Gillum, the former Tallahassee mayor and 2018 Democratic nominee for Florida governor, was taken back into custody on Aug. 6 after allegedly missing a court-ordered drug screening and then testing positive for methamphetamine during a court appearance, according to court records and local reporting.
What Happened
Baldwin County jail records show Gillum, 47, was booked after a commitment order signed by Baldwin County District Judge Scott Taylor cited a "missed CC drug test and pos in court for meth did admit," the Tallahassee Democrat reported. Local outlets, including TMZ and PEOPLE, say Baldwin County Assistant District Attorney John Oxford confirmed Gillum failed to report for a scheduled drug test and was then tested during a court session, with results reportedly positive for meth.
Andrew Gillum's mug shotCredit: Baldwin Co Sheriffs Office
Court Order Excerpt: "Missed CC drug test and pos in court for meth did admit." — Baldwin County Commitment Order
Earlier July Arrest
The Aug. 6 booking follows an earlier arrest in Alabama. On July 2, authorities in Daphne, Ala., reportedly found about three grams of methamphetamine, eight pre-rolled marijuana joints, a bong, three pipes and other drug paraphernalia. Gillum was booked on multiple felony drug charges and released the next day, July 3.
Legal Timeline And Next Steps
Gillum's next listed court date is Aug. 13. A spokesperson for Gillum was not reachable for comment, and attorney Christ Nicholas Coumanis did not immediately respond to requests from PEOPLE.
Andrew Gillum in 2018Credit: Steve Cannon/AP/Shutterstock
Background
Gillum narrowly lost the 2018 Florida gubernatorial race to Ron DeSantis. His public profile later included a widely reported 2020 incident in which he was found in a Miami-area hotel room with a male companion who had overdosed; police reports said bags suspected to contain crystal meth were present. Gillum denied using meth at the time, entered rehab for alcoholism, and no charges resulted from that 2020 incident.
In 2022, Gillum was indicted by federal prosecutors on 21 counts alleging he and an associate fraudulently solicited political donations and diverted them to personal accounts. He denied the allegations; in May 2023 a jury returned a not-guilty verdict on one count and was deadlocked on the remaining charges.
Personal Note
Public records show Gillum is married to R. Jai Gillum and they have three children. In September 2020, Gillum publicly identified as bisexual.
Reporting Note: Accounts of arrests and test results are based on local reporting and court records; the results and allegations are matters before the courts.
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