A mother and son have both entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, concluding a multi-year investigation that uncovered a significant drug trafficking operation spanning Arizona and North Florida.
Kanethia Tremeka Steele, 51, of Tampa, Florida, and her son, Kenneth Steele, 30, of Phoenix, Arizona, have admitted to their participation in the illegal enterprise, according to United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida John P. Heekin.
Kenneth Steele filed a guilty plea on May 7, 2025, and his mother, Kanethia Steele, pled guilty on Friday.
Both are currently awaiting sentencing in the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida, before Chief United States District Judge Alan C. Winsor. Kenneth Steele’s sentencing date is July 22, 2025, while Kanethia Steele’s is September 30, 2025.
“The importation and distribution of addictive and deadly narcotics like methamphetamine is a scourge on large and small communities throughout North Florida,” said U.S. Attorney Heekin. “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.”
According to court documents, Kanethia Steele was a central figure in the conspiracy for more than three years. She reportedly obtained kilogram quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from Arizona-based drug suppliers, which she then distributed to drug traffickers in Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist, and Levy counties in North Florida.
More information reveals that Kanethia Steele handled the packaging of the methamphetamine and enlisted her son, Kenneth, to transport substantial shipments. Kenneth Steele transported multi-kilogram quantities of methamphetamine in luggage on commercial flights from Phoenix, Arizona, to Orlando, Florida.
Under his mother’s direction, Kenneth Steele flew three such flights, bringing nearly 40 pounds of methamphetamine that subsequently spread throughout North Florida.
The convictions are the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office.