A 49-year-old Key West man was arrested Thursday as part of an investigation by federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in which the Sheriff’s Office assisted.
Garrett Jerome McAdams was charged with 30 counts of possession of a gun or ammunition by a convicted felon. McAdams was convicted of DUI causing serious bodily injury (his third DUI conviction) in Monroe County in 2015 and is on community supervision. He also served about a year in federal prison in 1991 after an investigation by the FBI regarding harassment charges.
On Thursday, multiple ATF agents, one agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit detectives met with McAdams at Fairfield Inn & Suites on North Roosevelt Boulevard with the intention of buying firearms from him. The investigation into McAdams began with federal agents. McAdams was selling firearms on a website called FloridaGunBroker.com. Federal agents contacted McAdams prior to Thursday and started the process of buying guns from him that were advertised on that website. A $375 price was agreed upon for one Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun and the parties further agreed to meet at the hotel on North Roosevelt Boulevard. The transaction took place. Deputies then conducted a traffic stop shortly thereafter and McAdams was detained.
A search warrant was then filed for his residence on Eagle Avenue in Key West. The following items were found in his home:
• Approximately 30,000 rounds of ammunition;
• 15 semi-automatic pistols;
• Three revolvers;
• Nine rifles (hunting and military-style rifles);
• Two shotguns;
• One ammunition reloading machine;
• Several pounds of black powder.
McAdams was taken to jail.
Anyone with information about any crime should contact the Sheriff's Office at 305-292-7000. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-471-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous and if a tip leads to an arrest in the case, the caller may be eligible for a cash reward. Tips may also be submitted online at www.floridakeyscrimestoppers.comor via a text message using the smartphone app called P3 Phone. Tips can also be submitted via social media such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the @CrimeStoppers305 hashtag.