Key West firefighter Austin Michael Kimbler, 28, faces multiple drug charges after a raid on his home and a vehicle search led to the discovery of cocaine, anabolic steroids, and drug paraphernalia. According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the arrest on Tuesday came following ongoing complaints of drug activity at Kimbler's residence, as reported by NBC Miami.
Details by Local 10 highlight that deputies had to separately obtain a search warrant for Kimbler's home on Big Coppitt Key and executed it following a traffic stop where a K9 unit alerted to drugs in Kimbler's Jeep Gladiator. A search of his vehicle revealed a vial of testosterone enanthate and pink powder residue, while his residence contained various steroids and substances associated with efforts to defeat drug tests.
The investigation took a more serious turn with the discovery of pink cocaine, a street drug that has been linked to fatal incidents in the area. According to the official arrest report, authorities found a substance that tested positive for both steroids and cocaine. In addition to the narcotics, law enforcement also found a digital scale with cocaine residue and several plastic bottles containing urine, presumably used to circumvent drug screenings — an assertion made by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
Following his arrest, Kimbler was released on a $20,000 bond on New Year's Day. As the case unfolds, a city spokesperson has confirmed that Kimbler is set to have a Monday hearing regarding his employment status with the Key West Fire Department, an institution he has been a part of since July 2018.
