Florida man allegedly charged $2,419 in food, drinks and resort merchandise to another guest’s room. Then police traced the purchases back to him

The tropical luxury of Islamorada became the backdrop for an elaborate identity fraud scheme when a Clearwater man allegedly ran up a $2,419 resort bill on an unsuspecting guest’s tab.

The year-long investigation ended with the arrest of Malachi Ethan Keasler, 26, who allegedly used another person’s identity to turn a high-end Florida Keys vacation into his own expense account.

According to the Globe, the incident began in September 2025 at the upscale Cheeca Lodge & Spa, a premier oceanfront destination in Islamorada. The scheme came to light when a resort guest checked her room ledger and found nearly $900 in charges she did not recognize or authorize.

The suspect allegedly went on a luxury spree

She alerted hotel management and contacted the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, prompting detectives to begin looking into the transactions.

Investigators worked with the resort’s internal security team, reviewing point-of-sale records and comparing guest transactions. As they went through the records, they found more unauthorized purchases linked to the same account. By the end of the audit, authorities had traced $2,419 in fraudulent charges back to Keasler.

The charges reportedly covered expenses at the luxury resort, where guests can spend money on rooms, restaurants, recreational activities, and other amenities during their stay. What initially appeared to be a single unauthorized charge eventually became part of a much larger investigation into how the account was being used.

Although the spending took place in late 2025, Keasler remained out of police custody for more than a year. Deputies eventually tracked him down and arrested him on Oct. 3.

Authorities say the identification credentials used in the resort transactions belonged to a person over the age of 60. That allowed prosecutors to pursue enhanced charges under Florida law. The Monroe County State Attorney’s Office has charged Keasler with grand theft, possession of another person’s identification, and scheme to defraud.

According to jail records, Keasler has since posted bond and is no longer being held at the Monroe County Jail.

The investigation also led detectives to another alleged participant. Emma Camille Wallace, 24, of Hollywood, Florida, was identified as a co-defendant in the case. Investigators allege that Wallace worked with Keasler to carry out the fraudulent transactions, although authorities have not released specific details about their relationship or how the victim’s account information was obtained.

Unlike Keasler, Wallace was arrested relatively soon after the alleged fraud. She was taken into custody in December 2025.

He could face up to 15 years

The Cheeca Lodge & Spa has 214 guestrooms and suites, along with three restaurants, a spa, and a 9-hole golf course. The 27-acre oceanfront property is a popular destination for visitors to the Florida Keys, with guests regularly coming and going throughout the resort.

The alleged use of an older victim’s identity could also have serious consequences for Keasler. Under Florida’s enhanced penalties for certain identity-related offenses involving elderly victims, he could face up to 15 years in state prison if convicted.

Keasler and Wallace are now facing the charges in Florida’s judicial system. Prosecutors have emphasized that the charges remain allegations at this stage. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in court.