Attorney General James Uthmeier Announces Takedown of Multi-County Drug Trafficking Enterprise; Record Drug Trafficking Sentences

Courtesy of the Office of the Attorney General

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office arrested more than 20 individuals in a multi-county drug trafficking and racketeering enterprise operating in Palm Beach, St. Lucie, and Broward Counties. The organization distributed large quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances, and utilized over-the-road freight carriers-without the carriers' knowledge-to smuggle cocaine from California into Florida.

"This joint operation dismantled a sophisticated criminal enterprise that was pumping dangerous drugs into Palm Beach, St. Lucie, and Broward County communities," said Attorney General James Uthmeier. "Through the tireless work of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and our statewide prosecutors, we seized large amounts of cocaine, along with fentanyl and oxycodone pills. Florida families deserve safe streets free of these deadly substances, and we will hold every member of this organization accountable."

"Let me be clear: if you bring dangerous drugs into Palm Beach County, we will find you, shut down your operation, and bring you to justice," said Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. "This operation sends a strong message that we will not tolerate drug trafficking in our communities"

"Our work in drug trafficking cases demonstrates one central truth: no single agency can address this challenge alone," said FDLE Special Agent in Charge Michael Stein. "These cases depend on strong partnerships-across local, state, and federal agencies, the Attorney General's statewide prosecutors, and the continued support of our state leaders and legislature to eradicate our communities of illegal and harmful drugs."

"Florida's success in combatting the opioid crisis is the result of both protecting our communities through public safety and treating addiction through comprehensive, evidence-based treatment," said Weesam Khoury Bale, Associate Vice President of the Health Care District of Palm Beach County. "Attorney General Uthmeier recognizes the importance of this coordinated approach, where law enforcement disrupts drug trafficking and health care supports long-term resilience of our communities."

The investigation began in March 2026 after social media activity led Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division investigators to a local distributor. Undercover controlled purchases and physical surveillance identified a well-organized network sourcing cocaine from Ariel Fernandez-Alonso and his associates. Fernandez-Alonso was identified as a major supplier who stated he received 50 to 60 kilograms of cocaine every 15 days. The organization used unknowing over-the-road freight carriers to transport multi-kilogram shipments from California into Florida. Agents located and interdicted one such shipment as Fernandez-Alonso and associates began breaking down a pallet containing more than 40 kilograms of cocaine.

Over the weekend, agents obtained and executed arrest warrants charging Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, Trafficking in Cocaine, Trafficking in Fentanyl, and Trafficking in Methamphetamine on targets across Palm Beach, St. Lucie, and Broward Counties. Officers from multiple agencies conducted more than 20 residential search warrants in the three counties, resulting in the arrest of over 20 individuals, including Richard Paterniti, Kenneth Charles, Jerri Kitzelman, Jerry Salerno, Craig Benard, and associates of Fernandez-Alonso. All listed suspects are in custody, and additional arrests are expected. In total, officers seized at least 45 kilograms of cocaine, as well as oxycodone and fentanyl pills. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office is finalizing the complete tally of drugs and arrests.

Among the defendants charged are:

• Ariel Fernandez-Alonso, charged with Trafficking in Cocaine (400 grams or more but less than 150 kilograms) (F.S. 893.135(1)(b)1c), a first-degree felony, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device (F.S. 934.215).
• Richard Paterniti, Kenneth Charles, Craig Benard, and others, charged with Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (F.S. 895.03(4)), a first-degree felony, along with trafficking offenses involving cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device (F.S. 934.215).
• Jerri Kitzelman and Jerry Salerno, charged with Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (F.S. 895.03(4)) and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device (F.S. 934.215).

Based on the current charges, Fernandez-Alonso, Paterniti, Charles, and Benard face 15-year mandatory minimum sentences for the trafficking counts in the Florida Department of Corrections. The investigations are ongoing and more charges are pending.

This investigation was led by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division and the Office of Statewide Prosecution, with support from the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office and the Broward County Sheriff's Office.

The cases will be prosecuted by Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Monique Wilson and Special Counsel Chris Olowin in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit.

Since Attorney General Uthmeier took office in February 2025, Statewide Prosecutors have secured 1,359 years of prison sentences for drug traffickers, an 83% increase compared to pre-February 2025. Fentanyl trafficking sentences account for 336 years.

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