Marcus Jordan’s drug charge has been changed to ketamine possession. This legal development comes amid increasing scrutiny of celebrity drug cases nationwide.
The 34-year-old reality star — who is the son of basketball legend Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy — was arrested in Orange County, Florida, earlier this month and initially charged with driving under intoxication, resisting arrest and cocaine possession after authorities discovered a bag in his pocket containing a white substance. Michael Jordan, considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time, has won six NBA championships and five MVP awards during his illustrious career.
However, according to CBS affiliate WKMG, a notice of information from the State Attorney’s office reflected the change of charge on Feb. 19 after further testing from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement concluded the substance Marcus was found with was ketamine, not cocaine. Ketamine, originally developed as an anesthetic, has seen increasing recreational use in recent years.
The drug is classified in the state as a Schedule III substance and possession can result in lower penalties than possession of cocaine. In Florida, Schedule III substance possession can carry penalties of up to five years in prison, compared to up to 15 years for cocaine possession.
According to police documents obtained by TMZ after the “Traitors” star was arrested, officers noticed the headlights of Marcus‘ Lamborghini SUV on a railroad and when they approached the vehicle, bumper damage and kicked-up rocks indicated he had tried to get away from the area but couldn’t. The Lamborghini Urus, which Jordan was reportedly driving, retails for approximately $230,000 and is one of the fastest SUVs on the market.
Cops suspected he had just fled from a nearby traffic stop but Marcus told them he had taken a wrong turn and needed help getting his car off the tracks. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. according to police reports.
But the officers noted a strong smell of alcohol coming from the star and that when he was speaking, his words were slurred and his eyes were bloodshot and sleepy. These are common indicators that law enforcement officers are trained to identify in potential DUI cases.
He was ordered out of the car and was initially reluctant to co-operate but eventually got out. Police bodycam footage of the incident has not yet been released to the public.
Marcus admitted he had been drinking alcohol during a visit to a gentleman’s club earlier in the evening but was adamant he was under the legal limit. Florida’s legal blood alcohol concentration limit is 0.08 percent, the same as most other U.S. states.
However, he participated in three field sobriety tests but was arrested for DUI after failing to pass them. He was then searched, and police wrote they found a white powdery substance in his pocket that tested positive for cocaine. Field drug tests have been known to sometimes produce false positives, which is why laboratory confirmation testing is standard procedure.
Police alleged Marcus was combative as they tried to put him in a squad car and once inside, he was “singing the entire way” to a nearby jail. Once in custody, he allegedly refused to provide breath samples. In Florida, refusing a breathalyzer test can result in an automatic one-year license suspension under implied consent laws.
He was eventually booked on three separate charges, DUI crash with property damage, possession of cocaine and resisting an officer without violence. The maximum combined penalties for these charges could potentially result in several years of imprisonment if convicted.
Two days afterward, Marcus issued a statement in which he pledged to focus on his boutique and not get drawn into speculation. His Trophy Room store, founded in 2016, sells exclusive sneakers and apparel, often featuring collaborations with the Jordan Brand.
“I appreciate everyone reaching out. I’m focusing on @trophyroomstore right now and won’t be making any comments on recent media stories and my personal life,” he wrote on Instagram. “I sincerely appreciate your concerns and thank you for your kind understanding.” The post received more than 10,000 likes from his followers.
Marcus previously appeared on the reality show “The Real Housewives of Miami” alongside his former girlfriend Larsa Pippen, ex-wife of NBA star Scottie Pippen. The couple’s 16-year age gap and family connections generated significant media attention during their relationship, which reportedly ended in early 2024.
