Grand Jury Indicts Three Key West Officials For Tampering With Evidence

KEY WEST, FL – A Monroe County Grand Jury has returned felony indictments against three senior officials with the City of Key West—City Attorney Ronald Ramsingh, Code Compliance Director James Young, and Building Department Director Rajindhar Ramsingh—following a months-long joint investigation conducted by the Monroe County State Attorney’s Office in close partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The indictments stem from allegations that the three officials attempted to obstruct an ongoing law enforcement investigation by tampering with physical evidence, specifically text message communications sent and received during June 2024.

All three defendants were taken into custody by State Attorney’s Office Investigators and transported to the Monroe County Detention Center for booking and processing.

Ronald Ramsingh, City Attorney, was indicted on three third-degree felony charges, including Tampering with Physical Evidence, Illegal Interception of a Communication, and Disclosure of an Illegally Intercepted Communication.

The Grand Jury alleges that Ramsingh knowingly altered or concealed electronic communications between June 1, – June 28, 2024, and unlawfully intercepted a Zoom video interview on May 1, 2024, later disclosing its contents without authorization.

James Young, Director of Code Compliance, was indicted on one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence for allegedly concealing or removing relevant communications between June 1- June 28, 2024. The messages in question were allegedly exchanged with one or both of the other indicted officials.

Rajindhar Ramsingh, Director of the City’s Building Department, was also indicted on one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence for allegedly altering or destroying similar communications between June 1, – June 28 2024.

“These are deeply troubling allegations involving multiple public officials in positions of trust and authority,” said State Attorney Dennis Ward.

“Our justice system relies on transparency and accountability. When public servants interfere with investigations or misuse their access, they betray the very community they are sworn to serve. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and to our dedicated team of State Attorney Investigators, who worked side by side for countless hours to build these cases. I also want to personally recognize Major Crimes Assistant State Attorney Colleen Dunne, whose outstanding legal skill, diligence, and integrity were essential in preparing these indictments and leading this prosecution effort.”

If convicted, each defendant faces up to five years in state prison for each count. The charges may also carry serious professional consequences, including potential disbarment and removal from public office.

As with all criminal cases, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.