A Key West man has been sentenced to three years in state prison on each of two felony counts, to be served concurrently, followed by one year of probation, after pleading no contest to trafficking in fentanyl (4 grams or more) and possession of cocaine. The charges stemmed from a March 2023 traffic stop in Key West that uncovered multiple quantities of fentanyl and cocaine hidden throughout the defendant’s vehicle and in his clothing.
Daniel Coto, 41, of Key West, was found guilty by Monroe County Judge Mark Wilson. Upon release, Coto will serve one year of supervised probation with strict conditions, including mandatory participation in Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings three times per week, random urinalysis testing twice per week, and full compliance with treatment and supervision requirements.
Coto was also ordered to pay more than $3,000 in court costs and fees, a $50,000 fine, and his driver’s license was suspended.
The charges arose from a March 5, 2023 traffic stop by Key West Police Officer Samuel Adorno in the 2700 block of North Roosevelt Boulevard after Coto ran a red light near the Overseas Market Plaza. During the stop, K-9 Officer T. Anglin and K-9 Jigsaw conducted a narcotics sniff and alerted to the odor of illegal drugs. A vehicle search revealed multiple substances that field-tested positive for fentanyl and cocaine, concealed in several compartments throughout the vehicle — including the center console and beneath the passenger seat.
Officers also found drug residue inside rolled dollar bills and cigarettes, and recovered $892 in cash, believed to be proceeds from narcotics sales. Coto was taken into custody at the scene.
Before arriving at the Monroe County Detention Center, Coto admitted to officers that he had hidden additional narcotics in his underwear. A further search recovered two plastic bags containing fentanyl and cocaine concealed in his underwear. Most repeat offenders know that introducing narcotics or other contraband into a jail facility constitutes a major felony under Florida law, punishable by up to five years in state prison and a $5,000 fine, in addition to any other charges the individual might be facing.
“This outcome was made possible by the outstanding work of the Key West Police Department,” said Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield. “Their attention to detail and professionalism—particularly the skillful coordination between patrol and K-9 officers — led to the recovery of dangerous narcotics and the protection of our community. The combination of incarceration, probation and treatment was a fair and balanced resolution that holds Mr. Coto accountable while addressing the substance-abuse issues that often drive criminal behavior.”
Assistant State Attorney Carter Reeves was the lead prosecutor.
