KEY WEST, FL – State Attorney Dennis Ward announced that Rollins E. Warden, 56, of Key West, has been sentenced to seven years in Florida State Prison without the possibility of early release following a 2023 arrest involving trafficking-level quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine. The sentence follows a plea of no contest, with Warden adjudicated guilty on all charges as part of a negotiated plea agreement accepted by the court.

The arrest took place on February 28, 2023, after members of the Key West Police Department Special Investigations Unit observed Warden speeding on South Roosevelt Boulevard. During the traffic stop, K-9 Jigsaw positively alerted to the presence of narcotics in Warden’s vehicle. A search revealed 144 grams of cocaine, 143 grams of methamphetamine, 1.6 grams of marijuana, and multiple items of drug paraphernalia. All substances field tested positive for their respective narcotic classifications. Warden admitted to officers at the scene that he had recently been smoking crack cocaine.

Warden was adjudicated guilty on the following charges:

  • Trafficking in Cocaine (28 grams to under 150 kilograms) – First-degree felony
  • Sale or Possession of Methamphetamine (14 grams or more) – First-degree felony
  • Possession of Not More Than 20 Grams of Marijuana – Misdemeanor
  • Possession and/or Use of Drug Paraphernalia – Misdemeanor

In addition to his prison sentence, Warden was ordered to pay $158,118.00 in fines and court costs, and his driver’s license was suspended.

“This was a serious and dangerous case involving trafficking-level quantities of drugs that destroy lives and communities,” said State Attorney Dennis Ward. “I want to commend the Key West Police Department for their outstanding work and attention to detail. I also thank Assistant State Attorney Jon Byrne for his thorough handling of the case and for negotiating a resolution that protects the residents of Monroe County.”

The plea and sentencing were accepted by The Honorable Judge Mark Jones of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit.

Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield added, “The no contest plea and full adjudication in this case reflect the strength of the evidence and the excellent coordination between law enforcement and our prosecution team. This was a clear message that large-scale drug trafficking will not be tolerated in our community.”

The State Attorney’s Office extends its appreciation to the Key West Police Department Special Investigations Unit, including Detectives Andrew Hudson and Christopher Bozzetti, Sergeant Jay Conaty, Sergeant David Kouri, K-9 Jigsaw, and Officers Thomas Anglin and Stephen Adorno for their professionalism and dedication during the investigation and arrest.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]