Week in Review: Monroe County Courts Deliver String of Sentences Across Keys in Early April
Accountability spans exploitation, DUI crash, stalking, and repeat traffic offenses
A series of sentencing hearings across Monroe County this week resulted in prison terms, probation and strict court-ordered conditions in cases ranging from child exploitation to DUI, stalking and repeat traffic violations.
In Key West, Jorge Tyler Perez was adjudicated guilty on 15 felony counts following a no contest plea before County Judge Mark Wilson. The charges included 14 counts of sexual activities involving animals and one count of possession of sexual performance by a child.
The case began with a CyberTip submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations. Authorities identified Perez through subpoenas and search warrants tied to online accounts containing illegal material.
Wilson sentenced Perez to three years in state prison on the child exploitation count, followed by five years of sexual offender probation. On the remaining counts, Perez received five years in prison on each charge, to run consecutively, followed by consecutive probation terms. As part of his sentence, he is prohibited from possessing animals or living in a residence where animals are present.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Colleen Dunne.
Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield said the sentence ensures a lengthy removal from the community and warned that violations of probation could expose Perez to decades in prison.
In a separate Key West case, Jose Guadalupe Rivera Zepeda, 35, was sentenced after pleading no contest to DUI with property damage, leaving the scene of a crash and driving without a valid license.
Before County Judge Albert Kelley, Rivera Zepeda was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 60 days in jail. The court ordered substance abuse treatment, participation in drug court if in Monroe County, 50 hours of community service, and regular drug testing. His license was revoked for one year and his vehicle was impounded for 10 days.
According to investigators, Rivera Zepeda struck a fence, fled the scene, drove onto Naval Air Station Key West property, breached a gate and crashed near the water before entering the water in an apparent attempt to evade police. Officers reported signs of impairment and testing showed a blood alcohol level of approximately .248, along with the presence of cocaine.
Mansfield said impaired driving at that level, combined with fleeing law enforcement, posed a significant danger to the public.
On Big Pine Key, Daniel James Lynch, 66, was sentenced after pleading no contest to burglary of a dwelling and stalking.
Wilson sentenced Lynch to 48 months of probation on the burglary count and 12 months on the stalking count, to run concurrently. The court ordered a psychological evaluation, required compliance with treatment recommendations, and imposed a no-contact order along with a 500-foot exclusion zone from the victim and her residence. Lynch also agreed to relocate.
The case stemmed from incidents in August 2024 in which Lynch unlawfully entered a neighbor’s home and repeatedly returned to the property, at times unclothed, engaging in conduct that caused the victim to leave her home out of concern for her safety. Lynch admitted to the behavior when interviewed by law enforcement.
Assistant State Attorney Madeline Thompson prosecuted the case. The court ordered more than $9,000 in restitution.
In Marathon, James Walter Hunter, 39, was sentenced for habitual driving while license revoked after pleading no contest before County Judge Derek Lewis.
Hunter received two years of probation, 50 hours of community service and financial penalties, with eligibility for early termination after 12 months if conditions are met.
The charge resulted from a March 2025 traffic stop in which a deputy recorded Hunter traveling 47 mph in a 30 mph zone. A records check showed multiple prior suspensions and revocations.
Assistant State Attorney K. Philip Harte prosecuted the case.
Mansfield said the case reflects a pattern of repeated violations and emphasized that continued noncompliance could result in incarceration.