Felon seen dumping gun, bullets out of car, deputies say

Derek Williams, 26, faces drug, gun charges after arrest in Florida Keys

Convicted felon Derrick Williams was arrested on drug and gun charges in the Florida Keys.

KEY LARGO, Fla. – A felon was arrested Sunday night after a witness spotted the man dumping a gun and bullets out of his car, a Monroe County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman said.

Derek Williams, 26, of Islamorada, was arrested on drug and gun possession charges.

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A tipster called 911 about 8 p.m. to report a suspicious person dumping a gun and bullets out of his car on South Ocean Shores Drive in Key Largo, sheriff's spokeswoman Becky Herrin said.

While deputies were en route, another caller reported that the same man had returned to pick up the gun and bullets.

Once deputies arrived in the area, they were flagged down by a witness who pointed them in the direction of the car.

A car matching the description was found, with two men inside, parked at the end of the roadway, Herrin said.

The driver, later identified as Williams, admitted that there was a gun in the side pocket next to the center console, Herrin said.

Williams told deputies that he is a felon and knows he isn't allowed to have a gun, Herrin said.

Deputies also noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from the car. They found marijuana, two alprazolam pills in the ashtray and drug paraphernalia throughout the car, Herrin said.

Williams was booked into the Plantation Key jail.


About the Author:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.