TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Attorney General James Usmeyer announced that a Hillsborough County couple has been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their roles in a fentanyl trafficking operation that authorities allege was conducted while one of the defendants was in prison.
Lenny Stevens was sentenced to 60 years in prison, and Vincent Stevens was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Prosecutors said the case involved repeated sales of fentanyl and arrangements between the couple that included contacts from prison.
Investigators said Vincent Stevens was already serving a 20-year sentence for human trafficking and firearms charges at the time of the operation. Authorities say he is suspected of continuing to direct drug operations from prison and coordinating sales over the phone and through social media such as Facebook.
Renee Stevens carried out the transactions from her apartment, and authorities said her young children were present during some of the drug transactions.
Part of this case was built 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 purchases of fentanyl from Renee Stevens. Authorities said she was in telephone contact with Vincent Stevens while the transactions were taking place on at least two of those transactions.
On December 11, 2023, investigators executed a search warrant at the apartment and reported finding fentanyl along with drug paraphernalia, including scales and a kilo press.
In January 2026, Renee Stevens was convicted of multiple charges, including conspiracy to traffic fentanyl (28 grams or more), multiple counts of trafficking fentanyl, illegal 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 continues with the 20-year sentence he was already serving, significantly increasing the time he will serve. Both defendants will serve their sentences in the Florida Department of Corrections.
Usmayer said in a statement that the couple’s actions put others at risk, especially given the presence of children during the drug act, and credited state prosecutors with securing the convictions and long sentences.
