Two arrested for trafficking fentanyl

Two men were arrested Tuesday after a large amount of fentanyl was found following a traffic stop in Marathon.

Cntory Phil Posada, 42, and Robert Wayne Malby, 64, both of Key West, were charged with trafficking fentanyl. Posada was additionally charged with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

The Sheriff’s Office stopped a southbound sedan at approximately 7:30 p.m. on U.S. 1 for following too closely and failing to use a turn signal. Posada was the driver and Malby was the lone passenger.

K9 Coral alerted to the presence of drugs in the vehicle.

Approximately seven grams of fentanyl were located in plain view on the driver’s side floorboard and 1.5 grams of cocaine and a cut straw were found in the driver’s side door.

Nearly five grams of fentanyl were found in Malby’s pockets.

The Drug Enforcement Administration also responded to the scene

___________________________________________________________________

Man arrested in large illegal dumping case

A 42-year-old Key Largo man was arrested Tuesday following an investigation into a large, illegal dumping case involving thousands of pounds of trash and debris just north of Samson Road.

Steven John Walters was charged with illegal dumping on private property.

The Sheriff’s Office began investigating the case in March 2023 after it was learned Walters was illegally camping in the area. Walters collected a large amount of trash, bicycles, tools, and other miscellaneous garbage at the site.

The property owner was notified and they stated they had not given Walters permission to live on or leave trash at the site. The Sheriff’s Office told Walters he was illegally camping and was given time to clean up the mess and vacate the area. He made no attempts to clean or vacate the property. An arrest warrant for Walters was obtained and he was booked into jail on Tuesday.

The Sheriff’s Office subsequently organized a community clean-up and removed nearly 5,000 pounds of garbage.

_________________________________________________________________________

Sheriff’s Office makes another arrest in ongoing check-fraud investigation

The Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit in the Lower Keys has made an additional arrest as part of a large investigation into a well-organized and sophisticated fraud organization operating throughout the Florida Keys.

William Ramirez-Rivero, 26, of Miami, Florida, was charged with grand theft and fraud among other financial-related charges.

The investigation began in November 2022 after Detectives noticed a criminal pattern regarding multiple check-fraud cases, which led to seven suspects being identified and the discovery of more than $175,000 stolen in 57 instances. The suspects were intercepting checks in the mail and fraudulently depositing them into other bank accounts.

Sheriff’s Office Detectives countywide have made multiple arrests as part of this ongoing investigation and more are pending.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detectives at 305-289-2430 or 305-292-7060.

_________________________________________________________________________

Man arrested for sexual activity with minor  

A 25-year-old Key Largo man was arrested Wednesday following an investigation involving a 16-year-old female victim.

Joshua Isaac Pawlikowski was charged with unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

The Sheriff’s Office began investigating the case in April after a family member of the victim informed Pawlikowski of the victim’s age and to cease contact with her. Pawlikowski did not cease contact and the Sheriff’s Office was subsequently notified.

_________________________________________________________________________

Man arrested for battery on a Deputy 

An intoxicated, 50-year-old man from Ontario, Canada was arrested Tuesday on Duck Key after hitting a Deputy in the face. There were no life-threatening injuries reported.

Brent Rowley was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, disorderly conduct, and disorderly intoxication.

The Sheriff’s Office responded to the resort at approximately 7:15 p.m. regarding a disturbance among some guests at Hawks Cay Resort.

Rowley was acting aggressively and not following commands. Rowley pushed and pulled at Deputies, before striking one in the face. He was taken to jail.

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