TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Lawyer Common James Uthmeier introduced {that a} Hillsborough County couple has been sentenced to prolonged jail phrases for his or her roles in a fentanyl trafficking operation that authorities say was performed even whereas one of many defendants was behind bars.
Renee Stephens was sentenced to 60 years in jail, whereas Vincent Stephens acquired a 30-year sentence. Prosecutors mentioned the case concerned repeated fentanyl gross sales and coordination between the couple, together with communication from jail.
In keeping with investigators, Vincent Stephens was already serving a 20-year sentence on prior trafficking and firearm prices on the time of the operation. Authorities say he continued directing drug exercise from jail, allegedly coordinating gross sales by means of cellphone calls and social media, together with Fb.
Renee Stephens carried out the transactions from her condominium, the place officers mentioned a younger youngster was current throughout a number of of the drug offers.
The case was constructed partially by means of a sequence of managed purchases. In October and November 2023, a confidential informant working with the Florida Division of Regulation Enforcement performed three managed fentanyl buys from Renee Stephens. Throughout no less than two of these transactions, authorities mentioned she was involved with Vincent Stephens by cellphone because the offers have been going down.
On December 11, 2023, brokers executed a search warrant on the condominium, the place they reported discovering fentanyl together with drug paraphernalia, together with scales and a kilo press.
In January 2026, Renee Stephens was convicted on a number of prices, together with conspiracy to visitors fentanyl (28 grams or extra), a number of counts of trafficking in fentanyl, illegal use of a two-way communication machine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Vincent Stephens was convicted of conspiracy to visitors fentanyl.
Prosecutors additionally famous that Vincent Stephens’ new 30-year sentence will run consecutively to the 20-year sentence he was already serving, extending his time in jail considerably. Each defendants will serve their sentences within the Florida Division of Corrections.
In an announcement, Uthmeier mentioned the couple’s actions endangered others, notably given the presence of a kid throughout among the drug exercise, and credited state prosecutors for securing the convictions and prolonged sentences.
