A homeless Miami Beach man could face years in prison for wearing handcuff keys on a necklace.
Prosecutors on Tuesday formally charged 22-year-old Michael Gonzalez with disorderly intoxication, marijuana possession and two counts of possession of a concealed handcuff key. He was arrested last month after police said he was harassing women on the sand.
Prosecutor Barbara Teresa Govea said in court that the charge is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Assistant Public Defender Michelle Prescott asked the judge if this was a constitutional violation.
The Florida law was passed after the 1998 murders of three Tampa law enforcement officials killed by a man who escaped his handcuffs using a universal key on a necklace.
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Homeless Man Arrested for Possessing ‘Cuff Keys
Michael Gonzalez could get 5 years for his handcuff key necklace
Copyright AP - Associated Press