Former Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum has been formally charged in Alabama following his recent arrest, with prosecutors filing one felony count and two misdemeanour charges against him.
According to court records, Gillum was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, specifically methamphetamine, as well as misdemeanour counts of marijuana possession for personal use and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Prosecutors alleged that the offences occurred on July 2 in Baldwin County, Alabama.
Gillum was arrested last week on U.S. Highway 98 near Walmart Drive in Daphne after police reportedly stopped his vehicle over alleged erratic driving.
Authorities said officers recovered approximately three grams of methamphetamine, eight pre-rolled marijuana joints, four cut straws, three pipes and a bong during the traffic stop.
Gillum, a former mayor of Tallahassee, served as mayor from 2014 to 2018 before becoming the Democratic Party’s nominee in the 2018 Florida gubernatorial election.
He narrowly lost the general election to Republican candidate Ron DeSantis by about 30,000 votes.
The case is expected to proceed through the Alabama court system, where Gillum will face further legal proceedings on the charges.
Gillum has previously denied wrongdoing in past legal controversies and maintained his innocence in relation to allegations against him.
