MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – Sunday morning in the Upper Keys turned into a legal headache for three Miami-Dade County residents after separate encounters with Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies led to multiple wildlife citations.
The first incident unfolded around 7 a.m. at the Channel Two Bridge. According to authorities, Islamorada Marine Deputy Jason Farr approached 57-year-old Alexis Pinon Gonzalez and 58-year-old Omar Mendez Valdez, both of Miami.
Upon seeing the deputy, the men reportedly began tossing fish out of a cooler in an apparent attempt to dispose of the evidence. Despite the quick move, Deputy Farr discovered the pair was in possession of an undersized lane snapper and a lobster taken out of season.
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Later that morning, the focus shifted to the north end of the island chain. At approximately 11:48 a.m., Key Largo Deputy Tony Conde spotted 27-year-old Yolexis Nunez Arce of Homestead spearfishing under the Card Sound Bridge.
Spearfishing is strictly prohibited in that specific area. Arce was found to be in possession of a barracuda that had been harvested with a spear.
All three men were issued mandatory notices to appear in court for the violations.
The cases highlight ongoing enforcement efforts by local marine units to protect Florida’s fisheries and ensure compliance with seasonal and regional harvesting restrictions.
While the incidents were unrelated, they all occurred on April 26, 2026, marking a busy day for wildlife law enforcement in the Florida Keys.
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