CRIME & SAFETY

KEY WEST, FLA. (WSVN) - A Key West woman found herself in custody on Saturday after sinking her teeth into a Deputy during a DUI investigation, authorities said. Deborah Bennett Odom, 60, now faces charges of battery on a law enforcement officer and DUI. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office took...

Numerous Florida Keys residents recently reported scammers posing as Monroe County Sheriff’s Office members asking for money or making threats about fake arrest warrants. These criminals are using the names of real Sheriff’s Office members and often use phone numbers that appear real on caller ID, according to a news release from Sheriff’s Office spokesman Adam Linhardt. They also use computer software that may mimic the voice of a real public official or loved one. ...

This week in Monroe County, Florida, several incidents occurred that require attention in the weekly safety report. These incidents include a man being arrested for panhandling and leaving his stolen truck behind, two individuals being arrested after drugs were found in their vehicle during a traffic stop, a car crashing into a golf cart near Key West resulting in critical injuries, a sergeant from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office rescuing two drifting divers, a woman using her Yorkshire Terrier as a DUI alibi, and the Key West Police Mounted Patrol Unit relying on volunteers.

Troopers say the driver may have been trying to make a U-turn.

KEY WEST, Fla. – Words With Friends has been a popular online game since its debut in 2009, played by millions worldwide. According to deputies, however, a Florida Keys woman using the app would end up getting played herself. According to a May 2021 Monroe County Sheriff’s Office arrest...

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a man and woman on Monday, Sept. 18, following a traffic stop in Key Colony Beach after cocaine and marijuana were reportedly found inside their vehicle. Ferdinand Robert Annicette, 38, and Shellee Marie Ross, 38, both of Sunrise, Florida, were arrested after 44 grams of marijuana, .3 grams of cocaine, a THC vape pen and two glass pipes were reportedly found following a traffic stop for illegal window tint, according to Sheriff’s Office spokesman Adam Linhardt. The couple was pulled over by deputies at approximately 1:46 a.m. on the Sadowski Causeway in Key Colony Beach, according to Linhardt.

Key West Police Chief Sean Brandenburg recently recognized the accomplishment of several KWPD officers with Lifesaving Awards, including recognition of Officer Matt Hansell. On Jan. 28, Officer Hansell located a female who had been previously been reported as missing or endangered. The woman left a note to her family regarding her suicide and had taken several bottles of prescription medications from her home. Officers had been searching several different locations for the woman and had not been able to find her. While officers searched the area of the last location for any potential clues or evidence, Officer Hansell doubled back to an overflow parking lot and located the woman inside her vehicle. She was unresponsive and he immediately began administering life-saving techniques. The woman’s breathing was shallow, and Officer Hansel ascertained that she was suffering from an overdose. He used department-issued NARCAN and administered two doses, followed by several sternum rubs.

Border Patrol agents, along with Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, the US Coast Guard, and local law enforcement partners responded to a migrant landing at the Dry Tortugas National Park, approximately 70 miles east of Key West on Sept. 9. Border Patrol agents encountered 23 Cuban...

KEY LARGO, FLA. (WSVN) - Two divers were safely rescued by a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Sargeant after they became adrift near Molasses Reef, south of Key Largo. The distress call, received around 4:37 p.m. Friday, prompted a rapid response from the Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Judge Mark Wilson denied a motion on Friday, Sept. 15, seeking to impose a gag order on interested parties and to strike a victim’s memorandum filed in the parking lot shooting of 21-year-old Garrett Hughes. Jerry Ballarotto, the new defense attorney for accused shooter Lloyd Preston Brewer III, argued the motion, which the legal team had filed in August. He used arguments that Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward used...

This week in Key West, Florida, several incidents occurred that are important to note for the weekly safety report. These incidents include a man reported missing from a Carnival Cruise, a search for a missing migrant at sea, a DUI arrest involving a golf cart, the discovery of drug packages off the coast, and an upcoming emergency response exercise at the waterfront.

Key West Police Chief Sean Brandenburg recently received a surprise Life-Saving Award from the police department. “The Key West Police Department believes in the recognition of officers, their actions, and outstanding efforts in service to the community and their fellow officers,” Capt. Randy Smith said. “In keeping with our core values, the City of Key West and the Key West Police Department recognize Chief Sean Brandenburg for his outstanding efforts that occurred on May 21.” On that day, Chief Sean Brandenburg — while off duty — quickly recognized a citizen in Kennedy Shopping Plaza was having difficulty breathing and was in significant distress. He immediately assessed the individual, recognizing he was not breathing, turning blue and had no pulse. Chief Brandenburg immediately started CPR, which he continues until Key West Fire Rescue arrived. Brandenburg’s recognition of the severity of the medical emergency, immediate actions and effective CPR resulted directly in saving the life of the individual.

A 20-year-old Key West man was arrested Sept. 9 after Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies said they caught him intoxicated behind the wheel of a golf cart that had been reported stolen from the Key West Golf Club. At about 5 p.m., James Riley Jackson was pulled over near MM...

MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – A traffic stop led to the arrest of a convicted felon who had marijuana and a loaded gun in his vehicle in the Florida Keys, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Friday. According to MCSO spokesperson Adam Linhardt, Craig Adonis Etherly, 30, is facing...

A Key Largo woman has been arrested on DUI charges after she attempted to blame her Yorkshire terrier for her erratic driving when pulled over by deputies.

Seven mainland Florida people who were illegally camping just off U.S. 1 in the Lower Keys near Bahia Honda Bridge were cited Sunday, Sept. 10. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was notified of tents near Mile Marker 35 and deputies found a group of people there with tents and other camping gear. The citations ranged from damaging wildlife to having fires in prohibited areas, according to Sheriff’s Office spokesman Adam Linhardt. For information on camping areas/regulations in the Florida Keys, visit http://www.monroecounty-fl.gov.

Attorneys for alleged parking lot shooter Lloyd Preston Brewer III, are expected to argue in favor of a gag order on all parties involved during a Friday, Sept. 15, hearing. Brewer is accused of shooting 21-year-old Garrett Hughes on the rear parking lot of the former Conch Town Liquor and Lounge following a day of drinking and watching the Superbowl last February. Hughes was urinating on a building adjacent to...

ATLANTIC OCEAN, Fla. (CBS12) — A 42-year-old man was rescued from a tanker ship Thursday after suffering a broken ankle. The U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Miami crew airlifted the man off the ship 17 miles south of Long Key, located roughly in the middle of the Florida Keys. The rescued person was flown to Jackson South Medical Center.

Key West Police Chief Sean Brandenburg recently received the Lifesaving Award at a ceremony at the Grand Key Resort. The Key West Police Department gave him the award for his outstanding service to the community and his fellow officers. The award was given for an incident on May 21, where Chief Brandenburg saved a citizen's life while off duty.