A former Key West firefighter appeared in federal court on May 30 to face an indictment charging him with the possession of a destructive device and possession of a short-barreled rifle.
Based on the investigation, Vincent Michael Vega has been charged with possession of a destructive device, illegal possession of a short-barreled rifle and open carrying of a firearm.
U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and acting Special Agent in Charge Gordon Mallory of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, made the announcement.
According to the indictment, on March 14, a traffic stop in Key West led police to find 38-year-old Vega in possession of a combination of parts used in converting a device into a destructive device, i.e. an explosive bomb or similar device. Vega was also in possession of a modified semi-automatic rifle, which had a barrel of less than 16 inches. The firearms were not registered to Vega in the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record, as required under federal law.
Key West police stopped Vega in the 3800 block of Flagler Avenue for driving 69 mph in a 30-mph zone. During the stop, officers saw a loaded, short-barreled AR-15 rifle in plain view inside Vega’s vehicle. The rifle, with a 7.5-inch barrel, is classified as a federally regulated firearm requiring proper registration. Vega admitted to modifying the weapon and did not possess the necessary tax stamp for legal ownership.
Additionally, Vega showed signs of alcohol consumption. A family member told police that Vega owned a significant number of firearms. He was arrested for possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle and open carrying of a firearm.
Due to concerns for public safety, patrol officers pursued a Risk Protection Order (RPO) to prevent Vega from possessing firearms.
Following the issuance of the RPO, detectives with KWPD’s Criminal Investigations Division obtained a search warrant for Vega’s residence at 1543 4th St., Key West. The warrant, approved by Judge Timothy Koenig, sought to locate firearms, ammunition and related materials.
During the search, officers discovered:
- Some 20 firearms (pistols and rifles).
- 10,000 rounds of ammunition.
- A PVC pipe bomb with a red fuse.
- Multiple electronic storage devices, Faraday bags (which block electromagnetic radiation), and external hard drives.
- Explosive investigation guidebook.
- Chemical materials and tools consistent with manufacturing explosives.
Due to the presence of a potential explosive device, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad was called to the scene. All homes within a 300-foot radius were evacuated for precaution. Further investigation revealed additional items consistent with explosive manufacturing, including potassium chlorate, aluminum shavings and detailed diagrams of Key West’s wastewater and stormwater pump stations.
On March 17, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) assisted with the investigation and determined that the materials seized could be readily assembled into a destructive device, meeting the legal definition of an explosive bomb under
federal law.
ATF Miami is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Hannah is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
