Unlicensed contracting investigation sparks Florida Keys highway chase: deputies
An investigation into unlicensed contracting led to a chase on the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys that ended with a crash into a deputy’s car and three people arrested Monday morning, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation was conducting an investigation in Islamorada with the help of Monroe deputies at around 11 a.m. when Butch Anthony Stevens, 46, Denise Michelle Bennett, 44, and 19-year-old Jonathan Mitchell hopped in a car and sped off northbound on U.S. 1, per the sheriff’s office.
Deputies put down spikes ahead of the car, which deflated some of its tires, sheriff’s office spokesman Adam Linhardt said. He added the car made it to Gilbert’s Resort & Marina at mile marker 107.9 underneath the Jewfish Creek Bridge, where Mitchell, who was driving at that time, struck a sheriff’s office patrol car.
A deputy was in the car, but was not injured, Linhardt said.
Deputies believe Stevens drove the car from Islamorada and switched out with Mitchell somewhere along the pursuit, Linhardt said.
When the car came to a stop, Stevens and Bennett ran away before deputies caught up to them, according to Linhardt.
Stevens, from Fort Lauderdale, was arrested on fleeing and eluding, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, unlicensed contracting, obstruction of justice and having no driving license.
Linhardt said he has several out-of-county warrants for unlicensed contracting, “and related crimes.”
Bennett, also from Fort Lauderdale, was booked on charges of resisting arrest and obstruction of justice.
Mitchell, from St. Petersburg, faces fleeing and eluding, criminal mischief and resisting arrest.
In another twist to the case, the sheriff’s office announced Tuesday that a man fishing at Gilbert’s was issued a citation for lying to deputies after the pursuit ended.
After bailing from the car, Stevens approached 60-year-old Felix Esquijarosa, who was fishing at the dock at the marina.
Stevens picked up one of Esquijarosa’s fishing rods and tried to make it look like he was there the whole time, Linhardt said. A Florida Highway Patrol trooper approached Esquijarosa, who told him he and Stevens had been fishing together for hours, Linhardt said.
Deputies gave Esquijarosa a notice to appear in court on the citation, Linhardt said.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
This story was originally published September 22, 2025 at 10:05 PM.
