WEEK IN REVIEW: Drug Cases Net Multiple Prison Terms Across Monroe County
State prosecutors secure convictions in cocaine sales, possession, fleeing case and overdose death investigation.
Four Monroe County defendants have been sentenced to state prison in separate drug-related cases spanning Key West and Marathon, including a cocaine sale tied to a fatal overdose, according to the Monroe County State Attorney’s Office.
The cases, announced over four consecutive days by State Attorney Dennis Ward’s office, resulted in prison sentences ranging from two to four years and highlight ongoing efforts by local law enforcement and prosecutors to target cocaine trafficking and related crimes throughout the Florida Keys.
Marathon Man Sentenced in Cocaine-Related Death of Local Resident
The most serious sentence involved 45-year-old Jeremiah Johnson of Marathon, who received four years in state prison followed by four years of probation after pleading no contest to manslaughter by culpable negligence and sale of cocaine in connection with the 2022 death of Brandon Marr, 42, of Marathon.
According to investigators, Marr was found unresponsive in a bathroom on Feb. 14, 2022. A forensic examination of his cellphone revealed text messages arranging a cocaine purchase shortly before his death. Authorities traced the communications to Johnson, who later admitted he was facilitating cocaine transactions for another Marathon resident.
The Monroe County Medical Examiner determined Marr died from mixed drug toxicity involving cocaine and alcohol.
Prosecutors said Johnson helped arrange the cocaine sale that ultimately resulted in Marr’s death.
A co-defendant, Ronald Meyers III, remains charged with manslaughter by culpable negligence, sale of cocaine and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. His case remains pending and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Cocaine Sale in Undercover Marathon Sting Nets 50-Month Prison Term
In another Marathon case, Gerome Leatherwood was sentenced May 27 to 50 months in Florida State Prison after pleading no contest to sale of cocaine. Monroe County Judge Derek Lewis ordered the sentence to run concurrently with prison terms imposed in two other felony drug cases.
The conviction stemmed from an undercover Monroe County Sheriff’s Office operation in August 2024 in which a confidential informant purchased approximately 0.68 grams of crack cocaine from Leatherwood near 20th Street and the Boot Key Harbor Bridge, investigators said.
Authorities said detectives maintained surveillance during the controlled buy and later obtained a positive identification of Leatherwood through a photo lineup.
Leatherwood also received a six-month driver’s license revocation and was ordered to pay court, prosecution, investigation and defense costs.
Fleeing Deputies During Drug Investigation Leads to Prison Sentence
Also in Marathon, 54-year-old Johnnie Leatherwood was sentenced to two years in state prison after pleading no contest to fleeing and eluding law enforcement during a narcotics investigation.
According to court records, deputies attempted to stop Leatherwood’s vehicle on Oct. 18, 2024, after observing him driving with a passenger who was the target of an active cocaine trafficking investigation. Prosecutors said Leatherwood accelerated away despite emergency lights and sirens, driving through residential streets before eventually stopping.
After his arrest, Leatherwood told deputies he “just freaked out,” according to the arrest report.
Judge Lewis adjudicated Leatherwood guilty and ordered him to pay fines, court costs and assessments totaling $863. He received credit for time served.
Prosecutors noted Leatherwood has an extensive criminal history involving drug-related offenses.
Key West Traffic Stop Results in Cocaine Possession Conviction
In Key West, 57-year-old Rigoberto Morales received a two-year state prison sentence after pleading no contest to possession of cocaine.
The conviction arose from a June 1, 2025, traffic stop on North Roosevelt Boulevard near Kennedy Drive. Key West Police Department K-9 Officer Matthew Hansell reportedly observed Morales and a passenger traveling without seat belts before initiating the stop.
According to the arrest report, officers observed what appeared to be crack cocaine in plain view and subsequently recovered multiple rocks of cocaine from several locations inside the vehicle, including beneath the driver’s seat, beneath the passenger seat and on the rear floorboard.
Morales denied knowing the cocaine was in the vehicle but acknowledged he was its primary driver, according to court records. Investigators determined the location of the drugs and Morales’ control of the vehicle established possession.
Circuit Judge Mark Jones sentenced Morales to 24 months in state prison. The sentence will run concurrently with penalties imposed in three other felony cases. Morales was also ordered to pay fines and court costs and received a six-month driver’s license revocation.
Prosecutors Cite Ongoing Focus on Drug Enforcement
Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield said the prosecutions reflect the office’s continued focus on combating illegal narcotics throughout Monroe County.
“When someone dies from cocaine, our work does not stop with the person who handed over the drugs,” Mansfield said in the Johnson case. “We follow the evidence to the source and hold accountable the suppliers and dealers who profit from these deadly substances.”
In the Leatherwood cocaine sale case, Mansfield said street-level drug dealing continues to fuel addiction and crime throughout the community and warned that those who sell narcotics in Monroe County should expect significant prison sentences.
The cases were prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys K. Philip Harte, Jon Byrne and Carter J. Reeves.
By the Numbers
Four defendants sentenced
More than 12 years of combined prison sentences imposed
One overdose death linked to a cocaine sale conviction
Two Marathon cocaine trafficking-related prosecutions
One Key West cocaine possession case
One fleeing and eluding conviction during a narcotics investigation