Attorney General James Uthmeier Charges Drug Traffickers for Bringing Large Amounts of Fentanyl into North Florida

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Release Date
Jun 24, 2025
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(850) 245-0150

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier's Office of Statewide Prosecution is charging two drug suppliers for trafficking large amounts of fentanyl in North Florida. Ron Alexis Wilson and Johnon Christopher Hughes are charged with trafficking fentanyl and conspiracy to traffic fentanyl. The charges come after a year-long investigation led by the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office, identifying the defendants as primary suppliers of fentanyl to the area. 

"Biden’s Border Crisis has had lasting impacts across the country, and the fentanyl that came across the border during his administration is still in our communities. In this case, authorities seized 12,500 fentanyl pills and more than three pounds of fentanyl powder," said Attorney General James Uthmeier. "Thanks to the work of our law enforcement partners, these drug traffickers are behind bars, and our Statewide Prosecutors stand ready to make sure they cannot threaten Floridians' lives again."

Authorities in Arizona arrested Wilson and then transported the defendant to Florida. Hughes was arrested at his residence in Jacksonville. 

The SCSO worked with the NorthStar Multijurisdictional Drug Task Force, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, and the Department of Homeland Security in the investigation. 

Florida has been at the forefront of combatting the fentanyl crisis through initiatives such as:

  • Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Network: Florida's CORE network, the first of its kind in the US, aims to disrupt the cycle of addiction and overdose by providing comprehensive addiction treatment, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and connecting individuals with long-term recovery resources.
  • State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (SAFE) program: This program provides funding to support law enforcement efforts in combating illegal fentanyl activities, leading to significant fentanyl seizures. 
  • Enhanced penalties for fentanyl trafficking: Florida has implemented stricter penalties for individuals convicted of trafficking fentanyl, including mandatory minimum sentences and fines that vary depending on the amount of fentanyl involved.

Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Johnna Lessard will handle the case.

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