Serious criminal and “known gang member” arrested in drug raid

A man with 14 felony convictions, who the sheriff's office describes as a known gang member, was arrested on multiple charges after executing a search warrant on his home.

Multiple units of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, including SWAT, vice and narcotics, police dogs, forensics, district sheriffs and COPPS, conducted the search at 6154 Ashland Drive on September 20.

When emergency responders arrived, 48-year-old Steven Cline escaped through the back of the house and was found in a neighbor's home.

Investigators found numerous narcotics, seven firearms, a body armor and a ballistic “police” (rifle-grade) shield in the apartment, which Cline admitted was his. He said he acquired the shield and body armor in a trade for drugs.

According to HCSO, the raid is the result of a months-long investigation that included several traffic stops at the residence and also resulted in arrests for methamphetamine trafficking.

Based on the search warrant, the following persons were arrested:

Steven James Thurman Cline, 48 years old
A known gang member from Florida
Criminal history
Total number of capital crime charges – 38
Total number of capital crime convictions — 14

Charges based on the search warrant
Resistance without violence
Possession of a firearm/ammunition by a convicted felon (7 firearms)
Possession of methamphetamine
Possession of fentanyl
Possession of a controlled substance (Suboxone)
Possession of cocaine
Possession of Alprazolam
Possession of more than 20 g of marijuana
Possession of utensils
Possession of a New Legend drug without a prescription

Ashley Dawn Cline, 37 years old

Currently on probation for possession of a controlled substance
Criminal history
Total number of charges — 6
Total number of capital crime convictions — 0

Charges based on the search warrant
Violation of drug offender probation conditions
Possession of methamphetamine
Possession of fentanyl
Possession of a controlled substance (Suboxone)
Possession of cocaine
Possession of a controlled substance (alprazolam)
Possession of less than 20 g of marijuana
Possession of utensils
Possession of a New Legend drug without a prescription

Darrell Floyd Kearce, 52 years old
Charges based on the search warrant
Possession of less than 20 g of marijuana
Possession of utensils