Jail Happenings in Key West

The late night comics, the press, the pundits at FAUX NEWS, The Twitter-verse, and TikTok Creators poke fun of the crazy sh*t that happens in Florida, Last week they took aim at the Key West county jail. Our real jail a few years ago below.

FROM  THE SMOKINGGUN.COM

Florida inmate charged with assaulting his roommate told cops that the victim “farts too much stinking up the cell” and fails to “give a courtesy flush” after using their shared toilet, according to an arrest report. Investigators allege that Christopher Callen, 33, pummeled Amado Dominguez-Quevedo, 57, during a confrontation Thursday night inside their cell at the Monroe County Detention Center in Key West. Callen (seen above) has been jailed since his arrest in late-September for failing to register as a sex offender with Florida officials (he was convicted of a sex offense in Colorado in 2012). Dominguez-Quevedo, locked up on $40,000 bond, has been in custody since his February arrest for aggravated battery and indecent exposure. During an interview at a hospital emergency room, Dominguez-Quevedo said he was cleaning the toilet when Callen grabbed him by the shirt and began punching him in the face and ribs.

Amado Dominguez-Quevedo above.

Readers may recall my recent blog about the County Sheriff letting inmates go free. If you see either the inmates mentioned on the streets of Key West, avoid either at all costs. You may get your face punched or your teeth knocked our or both.

 

Don't Miss the Real Estate Boat in Key West

 

This is a true story. A few years ago a husband & wife team in Ky West at a real estate office where I worked several years ago. They went to the Ft. Zach Taylor to have a picnic lunch at the beach. That's Ft Zach Beach in the photo above. I put an "X" to mark the spot where today's story occurred. 

They saw a woman running around in her bathing suit frantically waiving at a cruise ship as it was sailing away from the Mallory Square Pier. The woman and her husband were passengers on the ship. They rented a scooter to see the island. They went to the beach and let time slip away. All of their clothes were on the boat and it was headed toward Mexico. They asked the Realtor couple what they should do. My friend suggested that they stay in Key West a few days and then rent a car and meet the boat when it returned to Ft. Lauderdale. He said they had missed the boat, and the cost of flying to Mexico would defeat the purpose of a cheap cruise.

This also a true story. It occurred several years ago during Key West annual fast boat races. Last week was the annual boat race week and I was reminded of this tale.

We have two annual boat races - one for fast boats and the other for sail boats. Many of the people who come here to view or participate in the races are very well to do. A buyer who attended the 2014 November races contacted me to look at big houses. I showed him a gracefully restored Grand Conch house on Margaret Street. It had a large guest cottage in the rear, a sunny pool with an outdoor bar, and off street parking. And drop dead street appeal. It also was one of the most expensive homes for sale at that time. He fell in love with it. It had been on the market for almost a year. I remember him saying he wanted to buy it but also wanted to have his girl friend or wife see it first. He planned to come back to Key West the next month or so.  I told just because something has been on the market "forever" doesn't mean it will be available when you return. 

Stuff does happen and it happened to him. He did return. He looked me up and wanted to see the house again with his mate. I told him it was sold. He was painfully sorry. I remember him moaning that he should have bought it. He missed the boat. End of story. 

.

1621 Sunshine Drive, Key West - Open House

 Key West has been alive with tourists and wannabe homeowners ever since the barriers were removed from US 1 and the Key West International Airport started to allow outsiders inside. I thought we'd get a rest after Fantasy Fest. Nope, they are still here or replacements keep coming in. I have never seen anything like this. There are a lot of potential buyers for Key West properties waiting for something nice to buy. I have just the place you may be looking for. 

OPEN HOUSE

SUNDAY

November 14

12:00 to 2:00

1621 Sunshine Drive

Offered at $1,300,000 by Preferred Properties Key West

Gary Thomas, REALTOR, Listing Agent 

It could be YOUR HOME by Christmas!

1621 Sunshine Drive, Key West - Just Listed

Just Listed by yours truly: 1621 Sunshine Drive, Key West. This is a Two Story Three Bedroom / Three Bath 1,672 Square Foot Home built new in 2012. It is located two blocks from the White Street Pier and the Atlantic Beaches. 

But you won't need to go to the beach because you have your own heated pool and tropical garden located right outside your living room or which can be viewed from the deck off your second floor master bedroom.

There is more to this home than its excellent location and heated pool with tropical gardens. Let's take a look starting from the front door.

The house has Hardie Board Siding and Wind Impact Resistant Doors and Windows. The front and rear porches and decks were recently replaced with Lumberrock Premium Decking. The home was recently painted as well. 

A guest bedroom and bath are located just inside the front entry. The entire first floor features Travertine Marble Floors. Apple Homekit switches are installed for 10 wall switches, front door lock, and both thermostats. 

The home features  Hey Siri commands throughout the house and from far away. There are two pantries - one visible in the photo above and the larger walk-in pantry on the opposite wall located next to the laundry room with sink and storage.

The heat and humidity of the summer are gone. You can leave the doors open to the pool and rear garden for the next six months or so. The pool is heated. There is also an outdoor shower.

The master bedroom is located at the rear. It has en-suite bath plus covered rear porch with view of the pool. 

The second floor front bedroom also has a private balcony that faces southwest. You'll have those same wonderful sunsets all year long. The bathroom is en-suite. All bathrooms and the kitchen island have Brazilian Marinachi Granite counter tops. CLICK HERE to view many more photos of this property.

This home will have an Open House Sunday November 14 from Noon till 2:00 PM. No showings earlier. Act soon. I don't think it will last. I you snooze you will lose.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 1621 Sunshine Drive, Key West offered for sale at $1,300,000 or $777 Per Square Foot. Call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. This could be your home by Christmas.

Watch This Blog Tomorrow - New Single Family Home Listing in Key West

All I can say is that I am waiting patiently by my computer for photos from the photographer. I will post them to the new listing, and the listing will appear like magic in tomorrow's blog. The three bedroom / three back house has a heated pool, two off street parking spaces, great location, and will be priced to sell quickly. It won't arrive early. It wont be late. It will be on Open House on Sunday beginning at !2:00 and close at 2:00.  Don't call me now because I can't reveal anything else. Can't show early either. 

Just Listed 809 Washington Street #102, Key West, Florida

Just Listed: 809 Washington Street #102, Key West, Florida. I have sold four units in this nine unit town home development located in the tony Casa Marina Area of Key West. I have lived in the Casa Marina Ares for 27 years and love it. We are close to just about everything that Key West has to offer but far enough removed not to be in all the hullabaloo except when we want to be.

The listing Realtor describes this 1800 sq ft town home this way:

Located in the much sought after Casa Marina neighborhood and set back from the street with mature tropical landscaping, is a well maintained townhome with 3 en-suite bedrooms and a well appointed powder room on the main floor. Custom finishes throughout with Carlisle wood flooring. The kitchen consists of stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops. French doors reveal a lush tropical garden with a splash pool, completely fenced in for privacy. There are two en-suite bedrooms on the second floor with private balconies. The third floor also includes an en-suite bedroom with its own sitting area with multiple skylights. Just three blocks from Higgs beach, public tennis and pickle ball courts. Off Street parking.

These homes have the look of a traditional grand conch home you would expect to see in Old Town but all the convenience of a large modern day home. The unit has first and second floor covered porches on front and back. Inside the front door there is a charming vestibule to welcome you from a hard day at the beach or on the boat. As you enter you will immediately see the rear porch and pool beyond. But before you go there, you'll probably take a quick look at the beautiful kitchen with Viking appliances. There is a first floor powder room located under the staircase. Note also the tall ceilings, crown molding, high baseboards, and decorative wood trim. Two sets of French doors open out to the covered rear porch and private pool There is a rear entrance to the pool off a little lane to make the pool boy's work easier. The neighbors to the north are four sets of pre-war two story condominiums - each one bedroom. That development is meticulously maintained and managed. 

The second floor landing offers a sense of landing. A hallway leads to the master bedroom which is located on the back side of the second floor. The vaulted ceiling gives this room a dramatic aura, but it is the covered rear balcony that makes the space so special. This is the perfect perch for watching our wonderful sunsets without enduring the circus of Mallory Square and avoiding hundreds of tourists taking drunken selfies. Instead, you can enjoy a glass of wine with your loved one and appreciate all that you have achieved in life. 

There is a nice second floor guest bedroom on the right. Nice guests only! That bedroom has a private bath and doors that open out to the second floor covered front porch. There is plenty of people watching in the Casa Marina even from the second floor porch - joggers, dog walkers, lost tourists looking for a place to buy. The stairway continues to the third floor. That space runs the entire length of the house from front to back where there is a full bath. This bedroom can accommodate two queen beds or one queen bed and two twins. This home also has a fire suppression system built in for safety. 

809 Washington Street is ideally located a couple of blocks from Higgs Beach, public tennis courts, children's playground, Salute on the Beach, the doggie park, and Louie's Backyard. 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and more listing photos of 809 Washington Street #102 offered for sale unfurnished at $1,525,000. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing of this lovely home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West  Let me share with you the advantages of living in the Casa Marina Area.