Investigators say some $70K in baby formula was stolen between 2024 to 2025.
A Palm Beach County man is facing felony charges on accusations of stealing tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of baby formula.
Attorney General[1] James Uthmeier announced Tuesday that Kenneth Jones will be charged with two counts of first-degree felony retail theft in connection with “massive amounts of baby formula” stolen.
Uthemeier’s office, along with Palm Beach County Sheriff’s investigators, says Jones began his baby formula felonious activity in November 2025 and continued into May. The Statewide Prosecution Office states that Jones carried out over 50 heists of the formula earmarked for infants. They also report that Jones has a history of convictions.
“Stealing baby formula away from parents who rely on it to feed their children is unconscionable,” Uthmeier said in a news release[2]. “This will be one of the first times someone’s been charged with the increased penalties for retail theft since Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 549[3] into law last year, which makes certain repeat offenders eligible for 30 years in prison. Thanks to the excellent investigative work by Sheriff (Ric) Bradshaw’s team, our Office of Statewide Prosecution will be able to hold this criminal accountable.”
Investigators say Jones targeted stores such as Publix, Target and Walmart in both Broward and Palm Beach counties. The scheme involved Jones utilizing reusable shopping tote bags or plastic bins. They would be filled with dozens of baby formula canisters. Then he’d walk out of the stores with the shopping containers and wouldn’t pay for them.
It’s estimated that the thefts amounted to approximately $70,000 worth of stolen baby formula. Uthmeier’s office said Publix claimed the formula heists amount to “their most prolific baby formula theft to date.”
Jones was charged with third-degree felony aggravated retail theft in 2022.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Bradshaw said the baby formula caper is a serious crime.
“This is not a victimless crime and Florida is not going to stand for it,” said Bradshaw. “You know who the victim of this crime is? You, because the retailers are going to jack up the price and put it on the consumer. I appreciate Attorney General Uthmeier for seeing the bigger picture and holding these criminals accountable.”
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References
- ^ Attorney General (www.myfloridalegal.com)
- ^ news release (www.myfloridalegal.com)
- ^ HB 549 (www.flsenate.gov)