Alleged baby formula thief faces possible 60-year sentence under new Florida Law
A man is behind bars after commandeering a crime spree to raid South Florida grocery stores of baby formula — to the tune of more than $70,000 worth of product, law enforcement officials announced Tuesday.
Kenneth Jones Jr., 37, was arrested Sept. 17 and charged with two counts of organized retail theft with two prior convictions, court records show.
This marks one of the first cases a person is facing a first-degree felony for retail theft since the recent enactment of Florida HB 549 in October, which increased penalties for theft. Jones now faces up to 30 years in prison for each charge.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier condemned Jones’ actions in a Tuesday press conference, noting the adverse effects that the thefts had on parents.
“This is not a victimless crime and Florida is not going to stand for it,” Bradshaw said. “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.
From November 2024 to May 2025, Jones stole baby formula from more than 50 stores, which included Publix, Targets and Walmarts in Palm Beach and Broward County. Authorities say he had a routine of smuggling in bags, stuffing them with the formula and walking out.
“Stealing baby formula away from parents who rely on it to feed their children is unconscionable,” Uthmeier said.
This story was originally published September 24, 2025 at 10:02 PM.
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