Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Kanethia Tremeka Steele, 51, from Tampa, Florida, has admitted guilt in a case involving conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Her son, Kenneth Steele, 30, from Phoenix, Arizona, had already entered a guilty plea for the same charge earlier on May 7, 2025. This announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “The importation and distribution of addictive and deadly narcotics like methamphetamine is a scourge on large and small communities throughout North Florida. My office is committed to fulfill the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America by identifying and aggressively prosecuting drug traffickers like this mother and son who would profit from poisoning our fellow citizens. The elimination of this drug trafficking enterprise is the result of the incredible work of our law enforcement partners.”
Court documents reveal that over three years, Kanethia Steele acquired kilogram quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from suppliers based in Arizona for traffickers operating in Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist, and Levy counties. She also involved her son Kenneth in transporting multi-kilogram shipments hidden in luggage on commercial flights from Phoenix to Orlando. Under her direction, Kenneth made three such flights carrying over 40 pounds of methamphetamine which was distributed across North Florida.
Kenneth Steele's sentencing is set for July 22 at 2:00 p.m., while Kanethia Steele will be sentenced on September 30 at 3:00 p.m., both at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before Chief United States District Judge Alan C. Winsor.
These convictions resulted from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office. Former Assistant United States Attorney Corey Smith along with Assistant United States Attorney Jason Coody are handling prosecution duties.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative leveraging resources from the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and safeguarding communities against violent crime perpetrators.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida operates as one among 94 offices serving as principal litigators under the guidance of the Attorney General. Public court documents can be accessed online via the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.
