Monroe County serves as the southernmost county in the state of Florida. It maintains a population of approximately 80,600 residents as of a recent report. This makes Monroe County Florida, the 39th most populous county, accounting for roughly 0.4% of the state's population. The county's economy is sustained by the tourism sector, commercial fishing, and various marine-related industries. The principal municipalities and communities in the county include Key West (county seat and largest city), Marathon, Key Largo, Islamorada, Stock Island, Big Pine Key, and Tavernier.
Monroe County's average violent and property crime rates stand at 221.5 and 487.1 per 100,000 residents. The average violent crime rate is 108.5% above the national average, and the property crime rate is 197.7% above the national average.
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) is the lead law enforcement agency in the county. The Office of the County Sheriff is charged with the administration of the county jail and is the central public contact for law enforcement matters in the county.
Who Keeps Arrest Records in Monroe County, FL
Arrest records, jail booking information, inmate release data, and most warrants in Monroe County are managed by the Sheriff's Office. While agencies such as municipal police, state troopers, and federal law enforcement execute arrests and generate initial reports, they do not hold long-term custody of the records. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office functions as the central repository for these records once the individual is processed into the county detention system.
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office maintains a integrated operational framework with municipal and federal law enforcement entities. This ensures the comprehensive delivery of public safety services throughout the jurisdiction.
In Monroe County, the Sheriff's Office serves as the central authority for arrest logs and jail rosters. It oversees:
Various Local police departments such as the Key West Police Department operate within Monroe County. Although city police possess the authority to conduct arrests, apprehended individuals are generally transferred to the Monroe County Detention Center, where the Sheriff's Office administers all custodial records.
Municipal police departments handle arrests within their jurisdictional limits. They are responsible for the maintenance of their respective arrest and incident reports.
The Florida Highway Patrol, or the state police, has authority to carry out traffic stops or investigate crimes that cross county or statewide boundaries. When an arrest takes place in Monroe County, the individual is typically processed at the Monroe County Detention Center, and details of the booking are recorded in jail logs.
Federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, and Homeland Security, are authorized to investigate and arrest individuals for violations of federal statutes. These crimes may involve terrorism, drug trafficking, immigration offenses, or cybercrime. Arrests of this nature are not usually recorded in county logs unless the individual is temporarily housed at the Monroe County detention facility.
Monroe County, FL, is home to one of the most important U.S. joint task forces, Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF), which coordinates multiagency and multinational efforts against illicit trafficking. Joint task forces are actively engaged in Monroe County, with a particular focus on drug trafficking, immigration enforcement, counterterrorism efforts, cybercrime prevention, and homeland security operations. The following are the joint task forces in Monroe County, Florida:
The information commonly contained within Monroe County arrest records includes the following:
The specific information incorporated into arrest records may vary based on the relevant agency, jurisdiction, and case classification. Certain information may be withheld to comply with privacy laws, protect juveniles, or avoid interfering with ongoing investigations.
Annually, Monroe County reports about 300 violent crimes and 980 property crimes. With 221.5 violent crimes and 487.1 property crimes per 100,000 residents, Monroe County's crime rates exceed national averages by 108.5% and 197.7%, respectively.
The subsequent table presents a detailed breakdown of arrest statistics pertinent to Monroe County:
Arrest Total | Yearly Average |
|---|---|
Arrest Rate per 100,000 | 6,513 |
Adult Arrests | 5,000 |
Juvenile Arrests | 70 |
Crime Type | |
Murder | 2 |
Rape | 10 |
Robbery | 30 |
Aggravated Assault | 140 |
Burglary | 40 |
Larceny | 160 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 20 |
Arson | 0 |
Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Several types of warrants are issued in Monroe County. These warrants can be found in arrest records, and each serves a different legal purpose. Warrants are used by judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement to enforce court orders and investigate crimes. Depending on state laws, warrants may have different names and scopes of authority. The following warrants are common in Monroe County:
An arrest warrant is issued when law enforcement or a prosecutor presents probable cause that a person has committed a crime. It is signed by a judge, and it gives law enforcement legal authority to arrest the individual.
Bench warrants are issued by judges when a person fails to appear in court or disobeys a court order. These warrants do not require new criminal charges and are often used for missed hearings or unpaid fines.
A civil capias warrant is used in civil matters, such as unpaid child support or failure to comply with a subpoena. Although it originates from a civil case, this warrant can still lead to arrest and temporary detention until the issue is resolved.
Also called an out-of-county or out-of-state warrant, a fugitive warrant is issued when someone wanted elsewhere is located in Monroe County. Local authorities detain the individual until they can be transferred back to the jurisdiction that issued the original warrant.
A governor's warrant is a formal document signed by the governor authorizing the arrest and transfer of a person wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence in another state.
A search warrant allows law enforcement to enter and search a specific location for evidence related to a suspected crime. Issued by a judge based on probable cause, it is not an arrest warrant but may lead to one if illegal items or evidence are found during the search.
Members of the public may retrieve historical and current Monroe County arrest documentation at no cost via the Sheriff's Office Arrest History portal. Additional information is accessible through the official Monroe County Sheriff's Office website. Information regarding outstanding warrants may be obtained by appearing in person at the Monroe County Sheriff's Office headquarters, located at 5525 College Road, Key West, FL 33040. Individuals may visit the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal to find arrest-related court cases via the public self-terminals at the courthouse. Additionally, certain platforms facilitate registration for automated notifications concerning inmate releases or judicial proceedings.
Alternatively, records may also be requested in person, by phone, or email from the Sheriff's Office, jail facilities, or Clerk of Court. Under Florida law, individuals may file a public records request, and this may involve fees and require valid identification.
Below are the primary jail and detention sites in Monroe County:
Police Department | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
Key West Police Department | 1604 North Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, FL 33040 | Phone: (305) 809-1111 |
Key Colony Beach Police Department | 600 West Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051 | Phone: (305) 743-5380 |
Florida Highway Patrol - Troop E (Marathon) | 3380 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 | 305-289-2383 |
Florida Keys Community College Campus Police | 5901 College Road, Key West, FL 33040 | 305-809-1100 |
Agency Name: Monroe County Correctional Facilities
State: Florida
City: Key West, Marathon, and Plantation Key
Type: County detention facilities (multiple locations operated by the Sheriff's Office)
Address: 5501 College Road, Key West, FL 33040
Phone Number: (305) 295-3997
Website: https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/232/Correctional-Facilities-Maintenance
Facility Name | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
Main Detention Facility (Key West) | 5501 College Road, Key West, FL 33040 | (305) 293-7300 |
Marathon Detention Center | 3981 Ocean Terrace, Marathon, FL 33050 | (305) 289-2420 |
Plantation Key Detention Center (Tavernier) | 53 High Point Road, Tavernier, FL 33070 | (305) 853-3266 |
Monroe Juvenile Detention Center (Regional) | 5503 College Road, Stock Island, FL 33040 | 305-293-1500 |
Big Pine Key Road Prison (State Facility) | 450 Key Deer Boulevard, Big Pine Key, FL 33043 | 305-872-2231 |