TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that a Hillsborough County couple has been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their roles in a fentanyl trafficking operation that authorities say was conducted even while one of the defendants was behind bars.
Renee Stephens was sentenced to 60 years in prison, while Vincent Stephens received a 30-year sentence. Prosecutors said the case involved repeated fentanyl sales and coordination between the couple, including communication from prison.
According to investigators, Vincent Stephens was already serving a 20-year sentence on prior trafficking and firearm charges at the time of the operation. Authorities say he continued directing drug activity from prison, allegedly coordinating sales through phone calls and social media, including Facebook.
Renee Stephens carried out the transactions from her apartment, where officials said a young child was present during several of the drug deals.
The case was built in part through a series of controlled purchases. In October and November 2023, a confidential informant working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducted three controlled fentanyl buys from Renee Stephens. During at least two of those transactions, authorities said she was in contact with Vincent Stephens by phone as the deals were taking place.
On December 11, 2023, agents executed a search warrant at the apartment, where they reported finding fentanyl along with drug paraphernalia, including scales and a kilo press.
In January 2026, Renee Stephens was convicted on multiple charges, including conspiracy to traffic fentanyl (28 grams or more), several counts of trafficking in fentanyl, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Vincent Stephens was convicted of conspiracy to traffic fentanyl.
Prosecutors also noted that Vincent Stephens’ new 30-year sentence will run consecutively to the 20-year sentence he was already serving, extending his time in prison significantly. Both defendants will serve their sentences in the Florida Department of Corrections.
In a statement, Uthmeier said the couple’s actions endangered others, particularly given the presence of a child during some of the drug activity, and credited state prosecutors for securing the convictions and lengthy sentences.
