Teen Gun Threats Rise; Flag Theft and High-Speed Chases Keep Florida Keys Deputies Busy

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Responds to a Range of Incidents

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has been actively addressing various incidents across the Keys, highlighting a mix of legal and criminal activities. From new charges against a teenager for making threats with a firearm to high-speed chases that ended with suspects being apprehended, the department continues to maintain public safety in the area.

Additional Charges Filed in Teen Gun Case

A 15-year-old from Key Largo is now facing additional felony charges after allegedly sending threatening messages to another juvenile. Juan Pablo Villegas, who was first arrested on August 11, 2025, after his mother discovered a 9mm handgun in his backpack, has now been charged with two counts of intimidation/sending written threats to kill.

The new charges stem from messages Villegas allegedly sent, which included a photo of himself holding the firearm with the muzzle pointed toward the camera, accompanied by the phrase, “RIP bro.” Villegas was initially charged with possessing a firearm while under the age of 18.

Man Arrested After Kicking Monroe County Deputy, Resisting Arrest

A man was arrested after reportedly kicking a Monroe County deputy and resisting arrest. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining order and ensuring public safety.

Theft Involving an American Flag

A dispute over loud music led to a peculiar theft in Key Largo on Saturday. Michael Allen Pollock, a 34-year-old from Hollywood, Florida, was arrested after allegedly swimming across a canal to steal an American flag from a neighboring rental property.

The Sheriff's Office was called to a Seagate Boulevard residence after the victim reported that Pollock had first swum over to ask him to turn down his music. The victim complied. However, security camera footage later showed Pollock swimming back across the canal and taking the victim's flag. Pollock was located, charged with burglary and theft, and transported to jail.

High-Speed Chase Ends with Arrest

A reckless driver who reportedly endangered other motorists on U.S. 1 was arrested Saturday after leading deputies on a chase. Lianet Rodriguez, 35, of Fort Lauderdale, was charged with DUI, fleeing and eluding, and reckless driving.

According to the Sheriff's Office, multiple callers reported a northbound Lexus SUV driving into oncoming traffic and passing other vehicles on the shoulder near Mile Marker 21. When a deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver, identified as Rodriguez, fled, reaching speeds over 80 mph. The pursuit ended near Mile Marker 32 after deputies successfully deployed spike strips to disable the SUV's tires. Rodriguez was arrested and taken to jail.

Cocaine Found Offshore

A significant package of suspected narcotics was found floating offshore on Saturday, August 16. A local fishing captain discovered the parcel, containing approximately 25 kilograms of suspected cocaine, near the Square Grouper Marina in Islamorada.

The captain properly reported the finding, and the package was turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol for further investigation.

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