Key West Crime Updates
- Staff Writer
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
Key West Crime Updates
By: Staff Writer
Monroe County Sheriff’s Department Recent Incidents By: Staff Writer
January 4, 2026
An 18‑year‑old from Lebanon, Indiana is facing even more charges after a busy night in Sugarloaf Key. Deputies say Liam Ferris Engel was first caught on Jan. 2 trying to steal a motorcycle from a home on North Johnson Drive. A witness spotted him inside a pickup truck, and security video later showed him messing with the motorcycle but failing to take it. A short time later, deputies stopped Engel riding a golf cart he claimed was rented — but it turned out to be stolen from a home on Hawksbill Lane. He also had the motorcycle’s keys and tried to hide them by kicking them under a patrol car. Engel now faces grand theft on top of the original burglary and theft charges before being taken to jail.
As required by Florida law, the Sheriff’s Office is notifying the public of a sexual predator living in Monroe County, Florida.
Robert Edward Gaskell, 61, has registered a local address as 135 Stinger Road, Tavernier, Florida, 33070. Gaskell was convicted in 2015 in Collier County, Florida. A flyer from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement about Gaskell is attached to this email and may be distributed publicly. More information about Gaskell available at:
Monroe County Sheriff’s Department Recent Incidents By: Staff Writer
December 30, 2025
Two Arrested for Child Neglect
Two Tavernier adults were arrested after deputies responded to a disturbance at the Mangrove Marina bar where young children were present. Witnesses said the pair arrived heavily intoxicated in a golf-cart-style vehicle with three small children, including an infant just a few months old. When bystanders tried to stop them from driving, a fight broke out. At least one child reportedly wandered into the street, and the infant was nearly dropped. The Florida Department of Children and Families was notified, and both adults were taken to jail.
Undersized Lobsters Found in Traffic Stop
A routine traffic stop on Summerland Key led to the arrest of a man from Cocoa, Florida. Deputies found 11 lobsters in the vehicle, three of which were undersized, along with marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The driver had been notified the day before that his license was suspended. He was taken to jail on multiple charges, including possession of undersized lobsters and driving with a suspended license.
Man Cited for Illegal Fish
An Islamorada marine deputy issued a mandatory court citation to a Florida City man for possessing an undersized and out-of-season hogfish. The violation was discovered during a patrol near Mile Marker 79. The man was also cited for not having a valid fishing license.
Man Cited for Camping
A Key West man was cited for illegally camping on county property on Stock Island. Deputies found him sleeping under a makeshift shelter hidden in bushes, with numerous empty alcohol containers nearby. He had been warned previously about camping in the area. Deputies cleaned up the litter and confirmed space was available at the John Jones Navigation Center, but the man said he does not like staying there.
Source: Monroe County Sheriffs Department