The Monroe County state attorney’s office on Oct. 31 announced the conviction and sentencing of Brian Keith Barroso, a career criminal, on two counts of cocaine sales following a jury trial.
Judge Mark Wilson sentenced Barroso, 53, whose criminal history includes violent and drug-related offenses, to 30 years in prison. Wilson emphasized the severity of Barroso’s record, which includes multiple convictions for grand theft, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, DUI and fraudulent use of credit cards, as grounds for the enhanced sentence. As a habitual felony offender, Barroso’s penalties were increased to reflect the persistent danger he posed to the community, according to a press release from the state attorney’s office.
The investigation leading to Barroso’s conviction stemmed from a covert drug-buy operation conducted on May 3, 2022, by the Key West Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit. Detective Henry J. del Valle and other investigators arranged to have a confidential informant set up a cocaine deal with Barroso.
The drug deal occurred within 1,000 feet of Williams Hall Church, a designated place of worship and community center at the corner of Fleming and William streets in Key West. Surveillance and detective accounts confirmed Barroso’s direct role in the illicit exchange.
Assistant State Attorney Colleen Dunne prosecuted the case against Barroso.
“Bringing charges against individuals with extensive criminal backgrounds requires careful coordination and vigilance,” said Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield. “The outcome of this case sends a clear message that those who continually disregard the law will face significant consequences.”
State Attorney Dennis Ward thanked his prosecutors and the Key West Police Department’s work, saying, “Removing career criminals like Barroso from our streets is critical to ensuring Key West remains a secure and welcoming place for all.”
