MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – A 43-year-old Key Largo resident faces criminal charges after authorities removed nearly two tons of garbage from a makeshift campsite on county-owned land.
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Stephen James Dean on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, on an outstanding warrant for illegal dumping.
According to investigators, the campsite was located on Monroe County property near Mile Marker 98. Deputies initially warned Dean to leave the area and gave him a seven-day deadline to clean up the site, which contained a makeshift shelter alongside discarded debris.
Authorities stated that deputies followed up on the property multiple times, but the trash was never cleared.
The Sheriff’s Office, along with local community partners, ultimately stepped in to clear the area, hauling away an estimated 3,500 pounds of trash and debris.
Following the cleanup, deputies obtained an arrest warrant for Dean and booked him into the local jail on Thursday.
The Sheriff’s Office noted that the investigation remains active, and additional charges or arrests could follow.
READ: Florida Fentanyl Deaths Drop 42% As Moody Marks Awareness Day With New Legislative Push
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
