Khaleef Chiles appeared on the first season of American Idol in 2003
SOMERSET, New Jersey — Come for the bail jumping, stay for the weed.
A New Jersey man who had been a contestant on the first season of “American Idol” found himself in hot water this week when he came to court to surrender on charges of jumping bail and court officers found a bag of weed in his pocket.
Khaleef Chiles, 34, of Plainfield, arrived at Somerset County court on Thursday to face charges for failing to appear for an earlier court date. When he was searched before being placed in a holding cell, officers found the drugs, NJ.com reported.
Chiles was charged with third-degree drug possession in addition to the bail jumping charge and Judge Robert Reed ordered him to return to court on Friday to enter his pleas.
“When you come back tomorrow, make sure your pockets contain no weed,” the judge said. “I’m just saying.”
Chiles appeared on American Idol back in 2003, landing a spot on the show with a rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “My Cherie Amour,” but was voted off early in the season. He later co-authored a song for R&B singer Christina Milian, called “Whatever U Want.”
On Friday, prosecutors agreed to drop the drug charge in return for a guilty plea in the bail jumping case for which Chiles will be sentenced to probation and court-ordered drug counseling.
Chiles has a history of poor attendance in court.
He was initially arrested in March 2016 on charges of LSD and marijuana possession. On June 24, he failed to appear in court and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He turned himself in to authorities in December but failed to show up in court again on April 3
