A Key Largo man convicted of trafficking methamphetamines was sentenced to seven years in state prison by Judge Luis Garcia on Sept. 10. Taylor Pedro, 29, was also ordered to pay a $100,000 fine in addition to court costs.
The case stems from a hit-and-run incident at MM 101 in Key Largo on Jan. 14, 2021. According to an arrest report, the crash victim told sheriff’s deputies that her vehicle was struck by a pickup truck that continued driving north. The truck pulled onto Harris Davis Circle in Newport Village.
At Newport Village, deputies discovered a gray Dodge with front-end damage and a detached bumper. Two white men, one of whom was later identified as Taylor Pedro, were found inside the vehicle. Both individuals admitted to being involved in the hit-and-run.
Before confirming their identities, the responding deputy asked the men for identification. Pedro, who was driving the pickup truck, initially claimed he did not have a driver’s license and provided the name “Austin Pedro.” However, after being read his Miranda rights, Pedro admitted to giving false information to avoid trouble, as he did not possess a valid driver’s license.
Once the crash investigation concluded, a criminal investigation was initiated. Pedro admitted to being the driver of the Dodge Journey at the time of the accident and acknowledged that he had failed to stop and report the crash as required by law. He was taken into custody for leaving the scene of the crash.
During the arrest, Pedro voluntarily informed deputies that there were drugs in the vehicle, including fentanyl. Due to the dangerous nature of the substance, narcotics detectives were called to the scene. The detectives conducted a probable cause search of the Dodge and discovered numerous pills, drug paraphernalia and about 3 pounds of a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamines in a safe located in the rear of the vehicle.
“The swift and thorough response of the Monroe County deputies was crucial in bringing this case to justice,” said State Attorney Dennis Ward. “I also commend lead prosecutor Assistant State Attorney Trey Evans for his dedication in securing this conviction. Their combined efforts ensured the safety of our community and upheld the integrity of the legal process.”
Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield echoed these sentiments, saying, “Thanks to the swift actions of the Monroe County deputies, approximately 3 pounds of meth were seized and taken off the streets. This case is a prime example of how a routine investigation can uncover something much bigger. The dedication and diligence of these deputies were instrumental in protecting our community from further harm.”
