FAKE ID LEADS TO REAL ARREST IN KEY WEST

Three loaded guns and $900 in cash were seized during a Sunday arrest after a 19-year-old tried to use a fake ID at a Duval Street bar. KEY WEST POLICE/Contributed

Key West Police Department seized drugs, guns and money after a minor tried using a fake ID Sunday at a Duval Street bar. 

Connor Malinis, 19, and Madison Birtley, 21, were at Irish Kevin’s when Malinis presented a fake ID. The bartender refused him service. Malinis became enraged when both men were ejected from the bar.

Police were called when witnesses reported seeing the two drive past Irish Kevin’s while waving a handgun out the window of the car.

The two were found a short time later, walking near the Hog’s Breath Saloon. Birtley told the officers his friend was upset they were removed from the bar and started to act “gangster-like.” 

Malinis told officers the gun was in the car, and Britley agreed to show them where the car was parked, according to police reports.

When the car was located at Simonton Beach, officers saw a large baggie on the dashboard containing what looked like marijuana. Inside the car, they found a felony amount of marijuana and sales amounts of controlled substances. They also found a Glock handgun, a Keltec handgun and a Daniel Defense M4, all loaded. The suspects also had $900 in cash. 

Malinis, who is from Jacksonville, had an active warrant from St. John’s County. The two were arrested and taken to the Monroe County Detention Center. 

Malinis faces two felony counts of carrying a concealed weapon without a license, seven felony counts of possession of a controlled substance, one felony count for possession of marijuana, a felony fraud charge for displaying the fake ID, and a misdemeanor charge of improper display of a firearm. 

Britley, who is from St. Augustine, faces 10 felony charges and one misdemeanor.