Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that Kenneth Jones of Palm Beach County will face two counts of first-degree felony organized retail theft for repeatedly stealing large quantities of baby formula. The charges follow a series of thefts between November 2024 and May 2025, where Jones allegedly targeted Publix, Target, and Walmart stores in Broward and Palm Beach counties. During these incidents, he reportedly used reusable shopping totes or plastic bins to take dozens of baby formula canisters without paying.
The total financial loss to the retailers exceeds $70,000. Publix described this as their most significant case involving stolen baby formula to date.
Attorney General Uthmeier stated, "Stealing baby formula away from parents who rely on it to feed their children is unconscionable. This will be one of the first times someone’s been charged with the increased penalties for retail theft since Governor DeSantis signed HB 549 into law last year, which makes certain repeat offenders eligible for 30 years in prison. Thanks to the excellent investigative work by Sheriff Bradshaw’s team, our Office of Statewide Prosecution will be able to hold this criminal accountable."
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw commented on the broader impact: "This is not a victimless crime and Florida is not going to stand for it. You know who the victim of this crime is? You—because the retailers are going to jack up the price and put it on the consumer. I appreciate Attorney General Uthmeier for seeing the bigger picture and holding these criminals accountable."
Jones previously had minimal criminal history at his sentencing in 2022 and received a two-year prison term for three prior cases classified as Aggravated Retail Theft—a third-degree felony at that time. The recent enactment of House Bill 549 in late 2024 now allows prosecutors to charge such offenses as first-degree felonies, carrying maximum sentences of up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Statewide Prosecution. The prosecution will be handled by Attorney General Uthmeier’s office.