Reality television personality and entrepreneur Memphis Garrett has been arrested in Florida over allegations of failing to remit more than $50,000 in state-collected taxes. According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Garrett known for his appearance on “Big Brother” was taken into custody on Thursday, May 15, on a warrant issued by the Florida Department of Revenue and remains behind bars, with his $15,000 bond yet to be posted.
Official documents obtained by TMZ reveal that Garrett, whose full name is Robert Garrett, faces a second-degree felony charge for the theft of state funds. State authorities allege that between November 2022 and October 2024, he collected $55,366.77 in sales taxes through his business entities—Poke House Lauderdale LLC, operating as The Poke House, and No Man’s Land Miami LLC, but failed to remit the funds to the state.
The Department of Revenue asserts that the collected taxes should have been transferred to the state treasury, and their absence amounts to criminal withholding. Garrett, who transitioned from reality TV into the hospitality sector, now finds himself at the center of a legal battle that could carry serious consequences.
Attempts to reach Garrett’s representatives for comment have so far been unsuccessful.
The arrest marks another turbulent chapter in Garrett’s year. In March 2024, he and fellow “Big Brother” alum Christmas Abbott filed for divorce, a split that turned contentious. Abbott later filed for a restraining order citing domestic violence, though she dropped the request in May.
Despite personal upheavals, Garrett has remained active in his business ventures. However, his busy schedule appears not to have spared him from scrutiny by state tax authorities, who are now demanding full accountability.
