Florida officials announced felony charges Tuesday against a Palm Beach County man accused of stealing over $70,000 worth of baby formula in at least 50 separate instances, citing a new law that enhances penalties for repeat retail theft offenders.
Kenneth Jones Jr. is facing two first-degree felonies under Florida HB 549, which went into effect in October 2024 and requires that offenders with two prior retail theft convictions face a first-degree felony charge. Jones’ case is one of the first, “if not the first,” times that a defendant has faced first-degree felony charges for retail theft, Attorney General James Uthmeier said at a news conference in West Palm Beach Tuesday.
He was joined by Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Christopher Olowin, who led the case.
“In Florida, if you steal, you’re going to jail,” Uthmeier said. “If you steal again, you’re going to jail longer. If you steal baby formula and you tick off all of our moms and the babies out there, we’re going to put you behind bars for as long as we can.”
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Beginning in October 2024, Jones committed 52 different thefts at stores including Publix, Walmart and Target throughout Palm Beach and Broward counties, according to a probable cause affidavit. Sometimes he acted alone; other times he was joined by “unknown accomplices.” Each time, Jones would enter the store, fill a container with dozens of cans of baby formula, and then leave without paying.
On May 29, 2025, Jones was driving in Lake Worth Beach when agents with the South Florida Criminal Apprehension Team tried to pull him over, according to the affidavit. He fled, and officers arrested him after a brief chase. He has remained in Palm Beach County jail since.
Officials did not provide a motive for the crimes. Jones had previously served two years in state prison for three prior charges of aggravated retail theft, according to the affidavit. He was released in June 2024.
“I hear this all the time, well, retail theft, that’s a victimless crime,” Bradshaw said. “No, it’s not, folks. You know who the victim of all this organized retail theft is? It’s you and the community.”
Jones could face up to 30 years in prison for each count. He faces additional charges pertaining to some of the thefts, as well as fleeing and eluding and resisting a police officer. His bond is set at $295,000.
