Fort Myers felon wanted for skipping court after arrest on drug charges

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

A Fort Myers man is wanted for skipping his court date following an arrest on charges of drug possession and resisting arrest.

According to Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, Andrew Ballard, 45, was wanted by deputies on an unrelated warrant, and when they spotted him in North Fort Myers, he ran off, leading deputies on a chase.

Deputies caught up to Ballard and arrested him, finding cocaine and meth in his pockets in the process, Crime Stoppers said. Ballard spent the next four months in jail before being released pending his next court hearing, which he failed to show up to.

Ballard has 32 previous arrests on 75 charges in Lee and Hendry counties.

He is 5'10", 180 pounds, has a tattoo of an eyeball on his right hand, and a pig's face with the rebel flag on his right arm.

If you have information in this case, you are asked to contact Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477), on the P3 app, or on its website. You can remain anonymous, and if your tip leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000.

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