Six people face charges after a monthslong narcotics investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Investigators say the operation involved methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs.
The probe began around March 2026, after deputies received information from a social media platform about suspected drug distribution in the county. Investigators identified Richard Sebastian Paterniti as a suspected local distributor. They later named Kenny Charles as his alleged primary supplier of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.
Investigators used undercover drug purchases, surveillance and court-authorized interceptions of communications. The affidavit describes several undercover buys involving Paterniti and Craig Steven Benard, including crystal methamphetamine and prescription pills.
The case culminated Sept. 3. Investigators watched Paterniti meet Charles in Lake Park and then leave with a large black garbage bag. Deputies stopped the vehicle near the 10th Avenue North exit of Interstate 95. Benard and Jonathon Earl Cain were also inside, the affidavit says.
A K-9 alerted to the vehicle, and deputies recovered the bag. Authorities said it held 30 grams of suspected cocaine, about 2 pounds of suspected crystal methamphetamine and more than 3 pounds of suspected marijuana. Field tests on the substances came back positive, according to the affidavit.
Warrants seek the arrests of Paterniti, Benard, Cain, Jerry Salerno, Jerri Noreen Kitzelman and Charles. All six are accused of conspiracy to commit racketeering and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Paterniti, Benard, Cain and Charles also face methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking charges.
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