Plantation Key, Fla. — The Monroe County State Attorney’s Office announced the resolution of a criminal case involving Mary Elizabeth Houston, who pleaded guilty to two counts of ‘Refusal To Aid Police Officers’, in violation of Florida Statute 843.06. The case was presided over by Judge Morgan.

The charges stemmed from a June 1, 2025 investigation conducted by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office following a reported armed robbery involving an Uber driver in Plantation Key. The driver reported being threatened with a firearm and robbed after transporting passengers to a residential address.

During the investigation, deputies determined that Houston took possession of the firearm after the robbery from the suspect, her son, and disposed of the firearm in the canal behind her home. Despite multiple opportunities to provide assistance, Houston did not inform deputies that she had taken the firearm or disclose its location until several days later. Her failure to cooperate delayed the investigation and required additional law enforcement resources.

Investigators reviewed home surveillance footage from the residence, which showed Houston walking toward the dock area holding what appears to be a firearm and a magazine, descending the steps toward the seawall, and appearing to drop both the firearm and magazine into the canal. Both Houston and her son observed on video leaving the dock area and returning toward the residence without notifying law enforcement of the firearm’s disposal.

As a result of the delayed disclosure, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team conducted a recovery operation in the canal behind the residence, where a compact semi-automatic firearm and a loaded magazine were ultimately recovered.

“Disposing of critical evidence—especially a firearm used in a violent crime—undermines public safety and obstructs the pursuit of justice,” said Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield. “This case highlights the professionalism and persistence of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Accountability matters, and cooperation with law enforcement is not optional when lives and public safety are at stake.”

Houston was originally charged with Accessory After the Fact and Tampering with Evidence, but accepted a plea offer to two counts of the lesser offense of Refusal to Aid Police Officers.

The court accepted Houston’s guilty plea on both counts, withheld adjudication, and sentenced her to six months of probation on each count, to be served consecutively, for a total of twelve months of probation. Houston was also sentenced to 60 days in the county jail on each count, for a total of 120 days, which the court suspended, contingent upon successful completion of probation.

If Houston violates the terms of probation, she will be required to serve the entire 120-day jail sentence. In addition, Houston was ordered to complete 50 hours of community service, to pay a $3,980 to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for expenses related to the recovery of the firearm and the delay in the investigation, and to pay all court costs and costs of prosecution.

Charges have been filed against another individual involved in the armed robbery. That case remains pending.

MONROE COUNTY STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

The Office of the State Attorney for the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, led by State Attorney Dennis W. Ward, is committed to upholding the law through ethical prosecution, collaboration with investigative partners, and the pursuit of justice for the citizens of Monroe County.

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