From maritime disputes and tourism fraud in Key West to seasonal resident cases in Islamorada and Ocean Reef investigations in Key Largo, we bring over 30 years of South Florida field experience to one of Florida’s most geographically distinct investigative markets.
Memberships & Affiliations
Our team’s deep familiarity with Monroe County’s island geography, marine industry, and 16th Judicial Circuit court system ensures reliable results for legal and private clients across the Florida Keys.
Serving high-profile clients and family cases throughout the Florida Keys and Monroe County.
Detailed reporting on living conditions, parental conduct, and potential risks.
Trusted by Florida Keys businesses from Key Largo to Key West to uncover fraud, misconduct, and internal risks.
Analysis of digital activity and patterns to support legal or personal matters.
Screen potential employees, partners, or personal connections thoroughly.
Identify risks before mergers, investments, or major financial commitments.
Get clarity in sensitive family matters like abuse, dishonesty, or hidden finances.
Uncover the truth behind suspicious claims with thorough surveillance.
Key West generates the highest case volume in Monroe County; tourism industry fraud, bar and hospitality business disputes, and domestic investigations involving the city's large transient population. The 16th Judicial Circuit's Key West courthouse handles family law and civil matters for all of Monroe County, making court-ready evidence preparation a core part of every Key West investigation.
The Middle Keys' commercial fishing and dive charter industries produce a specific investigative profile; vessel fraud, charter business disputes, and workers' compensation cases involving marine industry employees. Islamorada's concentration of high-net-worth seasonal residents also generates family law and asset discovery cases that move through the 16th Circuit.
Key Largo and the Ocean Reef Club represent the highest concentration of ultra-high-net-worth property owners in Monroe County. Investigations here typically involve estate disputes, background checks on household staff and contractors, and discreet domestic surveillance for part-time Florida residents with primary homes in the Northeast or Midwest.
Monroe County is the southernmost county in the continental United States and with 54% of its workforce employed in tourism, Wikipedia it has the most tourism-dependent economy of any Florida county.
That single fact defines the investigative profile here: hospitality industry fraud, charter business disputes, and domestic cases involving a large transient and seasonal resident population are the dominant case types.
McKinnon Investigative Group serves the 16th Judicial Circuit’s unique jurisdiction, a 100-mile island chain where our investigators understand both the local community dynamics and the seasonal patterns that determine when and how surveillance is most effectively conducted.
The 100-mile geographic span from Key Largo to Key West is unique to Monroe County and should be in the heading. No other county page has a heading that captures geography this distinctively.
— Duval Street District — Key West Bight — Historic Seaport — Mallory Square
— Ocean Reef Club — Islamorada Village — Big Pine Key — Stock Island
— Key West Harbor — Marathon Marina District — Florida Bay Corridor — Overseas Highway Commercial Corridor
Our investigators cover the full length of the Florida Keys, from the northern gateway communities to the southernmost point of the continental United States.
Tourism fraud, maritime disputes, and domestic investigations in Monroe County's largest city
Ocean Reef Club, dive industry cases, and northern Keys domestic investigations
Fishing and marine industry fraud, seasonal resident cases, and high-value property disputes
McKinnon Investigative Group Inc is here to provide discreet, professional support backed by over 30 years of trusted experience. We offer a no-obligation, confidential consultation to discuss the specifics of your case, outline a strategic investigative plan, and explain the legal pathways to securing the evidence you require.
We begin with a deep-dive consultation to define your objectives, identify legal constraints, and establish a specialized investigative scope tailored to the Monroe County landscape.
Our Monroe County investigative plans prioritize discretion and strict adherence to Florida Statute §493. We deliver ethical, professionally gathered evidence, ensuring all results are fully prepared for local legal review.
Utilizing high-resolution optics and advanced fieldcraft, our investigators execute the plan with maximum discretion.
You receive a professional, chronological report supported by time-stamped media and affidavits ready for legal review in the 16th Judicial Circuit or personal clarity.
When necessary, we work directly with your counsel to coordinate findings, providing the sworn testimony needed to move your case forward in Monroe courts.
As the southernmost county in the continental United States and one of Florida’s most tourism-dependent regions, Monroe County’s economy and investigative profile are defined by the Florida Keys’ marine industry, seasonal visitor population, and the high-net-worth residential communities that stretch from Key Largo to Key West.
Our investigative team maintains a deep operational presence across these primary Monroe institutions. We leverage these facilities to conduct on-site records research, file legal documentation, and coordinate jurisdictional field operations.
In the state of Florida, there is no legal distinction between the two terms; both refer to professionals licensed under Chapter 493 to conduct investigative services. While “private detective” is a more traditional term often used in popular culture, “private investigator” is the official designation used by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). At McKinnon Investigative Group Inc., we fulfill all state requirements to carry this professional title.
Yes, it is entirely legal to hire a private investigator in Monroe County, provided the agency is licensed through the FDACS. Our firm operates under Florida Statute §493, ensuring all surveillance in Monroe County is performed within state and federal law.
Absolutely. Evidence collected by a licensed investigator is highly valuable in Monroe courts, provided it meets the evidentiary standards of the 16th Judicial Circuit. We follow rigorous Chain of Custody protocols and provide time-stamped media, detailed chronological logs, and professional affidavits specifically designed for courtroom admissibility. Our investigators are also prepared to provide expert witness testimony to authenticate our findings during legal proceedings.
Private investigator costs in Monroe County vary based on logistics. Rates differ between surveillance in Key West’s historic forts or River Forest’s private estates versus background checks. We provide transparent estimates for all Monroe County residents to ensure total clarity.
Frequently. We serve as a strategic partner to legal counsel throughout South Florida, providing the critical discovery and surveillance needed for family law, civil litigation, and criminal defense. Whether it is locating a missing witness or uncovering hidden assets for a divorce case in Monroe Family Court, we align our investigative tactics with the attorney’s overall case strategy.
Yes. The Florida Keys’ marine industry generates a specific category of investigations; vessel ownership fraud, charter agreement disputes, admiralty insurance cases, and crew background checks. We work with maritime attorneys and marine insurance adjusters operating in Monroe County’s coastal jurisdiction.
Yes. Our investigators cover Monroe County from the Ocean Reef Club and Key Largo in the north through Marathon and Islamorada in the Middle Keys down to Key West and Stock Island at the southernmost point. Cases in the Upper Keys are often coordinated from our South Florida base, while Key West operations are managed with locally-familiar field investigators.
McKinnon Investigative Group serves all of Monroe County and the Florida Keys with licensed investigators who understand the unique geographic and legal landscape of the island chain. We cover the full Keys from the Upper Keys communities through the Middle Keys down to Key West. Call (954) 513-7414 for a free and confidential consultation.
Practical investigative knowledge for individuals, attorneys and businesses navigating complex personal, legal and corporate matters.
