Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Kanethia Tremeka Steele, 51, of Tampa, Florida, and her son Kenneth Steele, 30, of Phoenix, Arizona, have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Kanethia Steele received a sentence of 11 years and three months, while Kenneth Steele was sentenced to seven years and six months. The announcement came from John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “I applaud the excellent investigative work by our state and federal law enforcement partners to dismantle this drug trafficking enterprise that had flooded our communities with deadly drugs. This is yet another successful prosecution by my office in fulfillment of the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from the drug traffickers who have peddled poison on our streets for far too long. Substantial prison time awaits these offenders and any others who try to traffic drugs in the Northern District of Florida.”
According to court documents, over a period of three years Kanethia Steele acquired kilogram quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from suppliers based in Arizona for distribution through traffickers in Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist, and Levy counties in Florida. She also packaged the drugs herself and enlisted her son’s help to move large shipments by hiding them in luggage on commercial flights from Phoenix to Orlando. Under his mother’s direction, Kenneth Steele transported more than 40 pounds of methamphetamine during three separate trips for distribution across North Florida.
DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter commented: “Putting this mother and son enterprise out of business will make communities safer,” adding that “These illicit substances—particularly methamphetamine—have the ability to destroy families.”
The case resulted from a joint investigation between the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office. Former Assistant United States Attorney Corey Smith along with Assistant United States Attorney Jason Coody prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative aimed at using Department of Justice resources against illegal immigration as well as eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is among 94 offices nationwide serving under direction from the Attorney General as principal litigators. Additional information about public court documents can be found on the website for U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. Further details about activities within this district are available at the official website.
