Update – 2:55pm: According to an article published by the Miami New Times, Gillum’s statement about celebrating a wedding isn’t corroborated by Dyson.
“I personally was not celebrating a wedding. I don’t know if [Gillum] was in town for a wedding. He did not mention that,” Dyson said.
Dyson went on to tell the New Times that he has known Gillum since around last spring.
“We’ve been friends for a while,” Dyson said. He then went silent on the phone and did not answer subsequent calls from New Times.
Update – 12:44pm: When police arrived, Gillum was found ‘inebriated’ with two males — Aldo Mejias, 56, and Travis Dyson, 30. According to the report, Gillum “was unable to communicate with officers” due to his state. According to sources close to the incident, Dyson, the man who overdosed, advertises as a male escort on some websites. Mejias’s role is still not clear, but according to some reports, Mejias provided a credit card to Dyson to rent the hotel room at the Mondrian, and is the man who called the police after allegedly observing Dyson collapse.
After the story broke this morning, Dyson’s Instagram account was switched to private, but The Capitolist obtained a screenshot of the page. Warning: the hyperlinked image contains smaller thumbnail images of Dyson shirtless, and in some pics, wearing only Speedo swimtrunks. Some may consider it not safe for work (NSFW): Click HERE to view the screenshot of Dyson’s Instagram page before it was made private.
Update – 12:02pm: Gillum confirms his involvement in the incident, claims he had too much to drink, but released a statement denying crystal meth usage:
“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.”
Update – 11:44am: Other outlets are now confirming that Gillum, a frequent guest on CNN and on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, is known to be in Miami for a wedding this weekend, and that multiple Miami Beach officials, including Mayor Dan Gelber, were briefed on the incident this morning.,
Update – 11:40am: Despite being severely impaired or intoxicated, and with baggies in the room presumably filled with crystal meth, Miami Beach Police did not arrest Gillum, but allowed him to go home. The police report states Gillum left the hotel room and returned to his residence without incident. It also states the baggies of suspected meth were turned over to the evidence room for “destruction.” Judging from the images of the police report, it appears someone at the Miami Beach police department took photos of a computer screen in order to leak the information to the news media. Links to images here: Page 1. Page 2.
Update – 11:28am: The Capitolist can confirm that the address provided by Gillum in the Miami Beach Police report links back to the Epic Hotel, not an actual residence. The incident occurred at the Mondrian Hotel in South Beach. We are working to confirm other details.
Original Story:
The term “Florida Man” just took on a whole new meaning.
On Friday, former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum was reportedly involved an incident involving crystal meth in Miami Beach.
The story, first reported on Twitter by conservative news pundit Candance Owens, details the encounter in the report obtained from the City of Miami Beach Police Department.
Removing one page of report that had @AndrewGillum’s personal address listed which was wasn’t my intent— but YES—
BREAKING: Democrat Andrew Gillum was involved in a crystal meth overdose incident last night in a Miami hotel. Orgy suspected, but unconfirmed.Read the report: pic.twitter.com/YmgqMwniUj
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) March 13, 2020
According to Owens, the incident included three bags of crystal meth that were impounded.
Here is the last page of the report which sites the crystal meth.
Guess Florida made the right move electing Governor Desantis
I am told @AndrewGillum and his buddies were naked when cops arrived, which is the reason a sex orgy is suspected, but not confirmed. pic.twitter.com/p76jUn0soO
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) March 13, 2020
Prior to publishing this story, The Capitolist confirmed that the Gillum described in the the police report has the same birthday as the embattled Democrat.
This is an ongoing story, new information will be added in real-time. Keep refreshing this page to stay informed.
Brian Burgess contributed to this report.