Attorney General James Uthmeier announces charges against two men accused of trafficking massive amounts of fentanyl into North Florida
Tallahassee, Florida – Attorney General James Uthmeier has announced charges against two men accused of supplying large quantities of fentanyl to North Florida communities, following a year-long investigation that spanned multiple jurisdictions and involved several law enforcement agencies.
Ron Alexis Wilson and Johnon Christopher Hughes now face serious charges of fentanyl trafficking and conspiracy to traffic fentanyl. According to the Office of Statewide Prosecution, both men were identified as key suppliers of the powerful and deadly synthetic opioid to areas across North Florida.
The investigation, led by the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office and supported by the NorthStar Multijurisdictional Drug Task Force, uncovered disturbing details about the scale of the operation. Authorities seized more than 12,500 fentanyl pills and over three pounds of fentanyl powder during the probe. The amount confiscated could potentially result in tens of thousands of deadly overdoses.
“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.”
Wilson was arrested in Arizona and later transported to Florida to face charges. Hughes, meanwhile, was taken into custody at his home in Jacksonville. The arrests were the result of a coordinated effort involving not only Florida agencies but also the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Florida has been aggressively targeting fentanyl-related crime through a series of state-led programs and legal reforms. One such effort is the Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Network, which focuses on breaking the cycle of addiction by combining medication-assisted treatment with long-term recovery support. The CORE network is the first of its kind in the nation and is seen as a model for comprehensive opioid crisis intervention.
The state also funds the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (SAFE) Program, which supports law enforcement operations aimed at disrupting fentanyl distribution networks. Officials say the program has already led to numerous large-scale drug seizures across Florida.
Additionally, the Florida Legislature has passed laws increasing penalties for fentanyl traffickers. Depending on the quantity of the drug involved, those convicted face mandatory minimum prison sentences and steep fines—part of a broader strategy to deter distribution of the drug and protect the public from its devastating consequences.
Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Johnna Lessard will lead the prosecution in this case.
As Florida continues to battle the national opioid crisis, officials warn that fentanyl remains a top threat. Even a small amount can be lethal, and law enforcement agencies say they are committed to stopping the drug from spreading further in Florida’s communities.
The arrests of Wilson and Hughes mark another step in that fight, as the state works to hold traffickers accountable and prevent future tragedies caused by the deadly substance.
