Former Deputy Sentenced to Prison, Officials Warn of Officer Safety Risks
A former Monroe County Sheriff's Office deputy, Jennifer Ketcham, was sentenced on November 24, 2025 to three years in prison followed by five years of probation after admitting she illegally passed privileged information about undercover narcotics officers to her then boyfriend. Prosecutors and local police leadership said the disclosures endangered undercover colleagues, a breach of trust that matters to residents concerned about public safety and law enforcement integrity.
On November 24, 2025, the sentencing of former Monroe County Sheriff's Office deputy Jennifer Ketcham concluded with a three year prison term and five years of probation after her admission that she had passed privileged information about undercover narcotics officers to her then boyfriend. Prosecutors told the court that disclosures occurred repeatedly over a 14 month period, and that the leaks placed undercover colleagues at risk.
The judge rejected a defense request for a downward departure and imposed the combined prison and probation sentence. Testimony at the sentencing hearing included appearances by Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay and Key West Police Chief Sean Brandenburg, both of whom described the breach of trust and the attendant threat to officer safety. Fellow deputies also provided courtroom testimony about the effects of the misconduct on unit operations and morale.
Prosecutors urged the court to consider the duration and repetition of the disclosures, and addressed a mitigation submission that included a post traumatic stress diagnosis. The prosecution argued that the timing of that diagnosis raised questions when viewed against the period in which the disclosures occurred. Defense mitigation materials were considered by the judge, but did not persuade the court to reduce the sentence.
The case has immediate local implications. Law enforcement sources say the revelations have complicated undercover efforts and forced agencies to reexamine operational protections for confidential identities and investigations. Residents should be aware that the breach has prompted internal reviews and renewed emphasis on safeguarding sensitive information used in narcotics enforcement and other covert operations.
Beyond the operational consequences, the case underscores the importance of public trust in law enforcement institutions in Monroe County. County leaders and police officials who spoke at the hearing framed the sentence as a response to both the danger posed to officers and the need to maintain integrity in policing. As the sentenced deputy begins her prison term, local agencies will be tasked with restoring confidence and ensuring that lessons from this breach are translated into safer practices for officers and the community.
