A visitors cease in Key West on March 14 led to the arrest of Vincent Vega, 39, who was discovered with a major cache of firearms, ammunition and bomb-making supplies.
At about 2:30 p.m., Key West police stopped Vega within the 3800 block of Flagler Avenue for driving 69 mph in a 30-mph zone. Throughout the cease, officers noticed a loaded, short-barreled AR-15 rifle in plain view inside Vega’s automobile. The rifle, with a 7.5-inch barrel, is classed as a federally regulated firearm requiring correct registration. Vega admitted to modifying the weapon and didn’t possess the mandatory tax stamp for authorized possession.
Moreover, Vega confirmed indicators of alcohol consumption. A member of the family advised police that Vega owned a major variety of firearms. He was arrested for possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle and open carrying of a firearm.
Attributable to issues for public security, patrol officers pursued a Danger Safety Order (RPO) to forestall Vega from possessing firearms.
Following the issuance of the RPO, detectives with KWPD’s Legal Investigations Division obtained a search warrant for Vega’s residence at 1543 4th St., Key West. The warrant, accepted by Decide Timothy Koenig, sought to find firearms, ammunition and associated supplies.
Throughout the search, officers found:
- Some 20 firearms (pistols and rifles).
- 10,000 rounds of ammunition.
- A PVC pipe bomb with a purple fuse.
- A number of digital storage units, Faraday baggage (which block electromagnetic radiation), and exterior onerous drives.
- Explosive investigation guidebook.
- Chemical supplies and instruments in keeping with manufacturing explosives.
As a result of presence of a possible explosive machine, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Workplace Bomb Squad was referred to as to the scene. All houses inside a 300-foot radius had been evacuated for precaution. Additional investigation revealed further objects in keeping with explosive manufacturing, together with potassium chlorate, aluminum shavings and detailed diagrams of Key West’s wastewater and stormwater pump stations.
On March 17, brokers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) assisted with the investigation and decided that the supplies seized could possibly be readily assembled right into a harmful machine, assembly the authorized definition of an explosive bomb underneath federal legislation.
Primarily based on the investigation, Vega has been charged with possession of a harmful machine, unlawful possession of a short-barreled rifle and open carrying of a firearm. He stays on the Monroe County Detention on a $1.7 million bond.
This case stays underneath investigation by KWPD and ATF. Anybody with further data is inspired to contact the Key West Police Division at 305-809-1000.
The Key West Police Division stays dedicated to defending our group from potential threats. This case highlights the significance of vigilant legislation enforcement and group consciousness in guaranteeing public security.
Metropolis officers confirmed to the Keys Weekly that Vega labored for the Key West Fireplace Division from September 2014 to June 2023. The Keys Weekly realized that he was employed as an EMT and a firefighter. He was named EMT of the Quarter in March 2016.
The 4th Road dwelling, the place the suspect lives, and the place the search occurred, is owned by Alex and Sarah Vega.