Bishop Eddie Long Accuser Arrested on Felony Drug Charges

ATLANTA, Ga - Jamal Parris was considered by many to be the pivotal player in the Bishop Eddie Long lawsuits. He was the oldest of the young accusers and the only one to publicly provide lengthy, in-depth details of the allegations. Now, Parris finds himself back in the spotlight again.

About one month after the Bishop Long case was settled with money paid to the four young men , a Florida Highway Patrol trooper arrested Parris and charged him with felony count of marijuana distribution and use of firearm during commission of a felony. The arrest took place in Miami Beach, where the I-Team is told Jamal Parris has been living for the past three weeks.

According to the arrest report obtained by the I-Team, around 6:28 p.m. on Tuesday, Parris was driving a 2011 BMW 328i when a trooper noticed a weathered temporary tag. The trooper "smelled a strong and distinct odor of marijuana."

The report says Parris told the trooper he had a "firearm in a bag" in the back seat. The officer wrote that he found the gun and "50 small clear zip lock bags" consistent with selling pot.

The report says that Parris had "$1,251" in cash in his pocket. In the trunk, officers found "181 grams" "of "suspected marijuana." The trooper felt all the evidence was "indicative of a drug dealer." Parris was arrested and bonded out later that night.

According to sources close to the case, Parris had moved to Miami to "attend Miami Dade College" and had already registered for school. He "bought a handgun in Atlanta for protection." The BMW was paid for with "money from the Long settlement."

Parris has told friends he just wanted to finish college in Miami.

So, though Bishop Long's sexual misconduct case is settled, two young men who were once part of his church and his life now must fight their own legal battles. Anthony Boyd, a former New Birth security guard who showed up to court on Tuesday with a limo driver , is accused of breaking into Bishop Eddie Long's church. And Jamal Parris, who sued Bishop Long and accused him of sexual misconduct, must now defend himself in court.