Attorney General James Uthmeier Secures 60-Year and 30-Year Prison Sentences for Hillsborough Couple in Fentanyl Trafficking Scheme

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-Attorney General James Uthmeier announced 60-year and 30-year prison sentences for Renee and Vincent Stephens for fentanyl trafficking in Hillsborough County.

"This couple was not only profiting from pushing poison into our communities, but they were also doing it in the presence of a young, vulnerable child," said Attorney General James Uthmeier. "These drug traffickers have proven multiple times that they have no regard for the law. I am grateful to Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Luis Aguila and Gianna Fina for ensuring they will spend a very long time behind bars."

At the time of the operation, Vincent Stephens was incarcerated, serving a 20-year sentence on prior trafficking and firearm charges. While in prison, Vincent connected Renee with another inmate and directed the trafficking activity. Renee sold fentanyl from her apartment, where her young child was present during several drug deals.

In October and November 2023, a confidential informant and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducted three controlled fentanyl purchases from Renee Stephens. During two of these deals, Renee communicated by phone with Vincent, who was directing the transactions from prison.

FDLE executed a search warrant at Renee Stephens' apartment on December 11, 2023, and found fentanyl and drug paraphernalia, including scales and a kilo press.

Investigators discovered that Vincent Stephens used Facebook to coordinate drug deals from prison.

In January 2026, Renee Stephens was convicted of Conspiracy to Traffic in Fentanyl (28 grams or more), 2 counts of Trafficking in Fentanyl (4 grams to 14 grams), 3 counts of Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device, 3 counts of Trafficking in Fentanyl, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Vincent Stephens was convicted of Conspiracy to Traffic in Fentanyl (28 grams or more).

The Stephens will serve their respective sentences in the Florida Department of Corrections. Vincent will serve his sentence consecutively with the 20-year sentence he is currently serving.

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