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Police release photos of drug-related incident in Miami involving Andrew Gillum

Posted at 2:02 PM, Apr 22, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-22 14:08:19-04

The Miami Beach Police Department has released crime scene photos that were taken last month after former Tallahassee mayor and former Democratic candidate Andrew Gillum was found "inebriated" inside of a Miami Beach Hotel room.

The photos show a messy room at the Mondrian South Beach Hotel from the incident that happened on March 13.

In the photos above, you can also see prescription pill bottles scattered throughout the room and plastic baggies containing suspected meth on the floor.

According to the police report, Miami Beach Fire crews were called to the hotel right before 1 a.m. on March 13 for a cardiac arrest.

When they arrived, firefighters were on scene treating a man for a "possible drug overdose."

According to the report, Aldo Mejias, 56, told police he gave Travis Dyson, 30, his credit card information to rent the room for the night.

When Mejias arrived at the hotel room, he found 40-year-old Gillum and Dyson inside, both of whom appeared to be "under the influence of an unknown substance."

Mejias said he saw Dyson collapsed on the bed and “Gillum inside of the bathroom vomiting.” Dyson then began having trouble breathing and vomited on the bed before collapsing again.

That's when they called 911.

According to the police report, officers who responded to the hotel tried to speak with Gillum but he was too inebriated. Officers found three small clear bags inside the hotel room containing suspected crystal meth and impounded them into evidence.

First responders took the collapsed man to a hospital where he was listed in stable condition.

Documents say Gillum later left the hotel room and returned to his home “without incident.” It's unclear if Gillum or any of the men involved are facing criminal charges.

The former gubernatorial candidate sent a statement to ABC 27 about the incident. In the statement, Gillum admitted that he "had too much too drink," but denied using meth.

"I was in Miami last night for a wedding celebration when first responders were called to assist one of my friends. While I had too much to drink, I want to be clear that I have never used methamphetamines. I apologize to the people of Florida for the distraction this has caused our movement.

"I’m thankful to the incredible Miami Beach EMS team for their efforts. I will spend the next few weeks with my family and appreciate privacy during this time."

Now, most people outside of the Big Bend know of Gillum for his run for Governor.

Despite being out of politics, at one point, his name was being tossed around as a possible Vice President choice for Elizabeth Warren.

"It does not look good to have someone with such a high profile stature as Andrew Gillum, the former Mayor of Tallahassee, the former Gubernatorial candidate here in the state of Florida be caught up in this situation where drugs is included," said Trimmel Gomes of Political Consultant and Media Strategists. "Methamphetamine is expected to be involved in this case."

A few days after the news surfaced, Gillum announced that he was checking himself into a rehab facility.