Lobster case ongoing amid cocaine sting

BY ADAM LINHARDT Citizen Staff
alinhardt@keysnews.com

 While the federal case moves forward against three Stock Island family members nabbed in a large cocaine trafficking sting, the matter of the 700 short lobster tails also found will likely remain in state court, officials said this week.

    When local, state and federal agents raided in February a two-trailer property at 6451 6th St., as well as a shed off Maloney Avenue and a commercial fishing boat, they found 10 kilograms of cocaine, 7.5 grams of crack cocaine, two pounds of marijuana, about 2,100 Xanax bars, about 1,300 oxycodone pills, more than $250,000 in cash, and 700 short lobster tails, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

 The prosecution on the drug charges was moved to federal court as many expected, but the fishery violations, second degree misdemeanors, against two of the three men will be prosecuted at the state level, said Monroe County State Attorney Catherine Vogel.

  Juan Soca Sr., 63, his namesake son, Juan Soca Jr., 42, and Junior's cousin, 38-year-old Jose Soca, are expected to be arraigned on the drug charges next week at the Sidney M. Aronovitz federal courthouse, 301 Simonton St., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lurana Snow. The trial case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez.

  The lobster charges against Juan Jr. and Jose Soca will likely have to be resolved in state court before county Judge Wayne Miller prior to the larger federal case.
"The federal system will take precedence over any sanctions the state would impose for second-degree misdemeanors," Vogel said.Continue reading