SWAT team discovers drugs, firearms and police shield in gang member's home in Spring Hill

SPRING HILL, Fla. (CBS12) — Three people have been charged following a raid in drug dealing territory in Hernando County, including a known Florida gang member with a significant criminal history.

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) said it executed a search warrant for the residence at 6154 Ashland Drive in Spring Hill following a months-long investigation that included multiple traffic stops at the same residence and previous arrests for methamphetamine trafficking.

On September 20, officers and a HCSO SWAT team searched the home. According to HCSO, they discovered a significant amount of narcotics, seven firearms, a body armor vest and a ballistic “police” shield inside the home.

Steven Cline, a known gang member, reportedly attempted to evade arrest by fleeing through the back of the residence and was later found in a neighboring residence.

The HCSO stated that after being read his Miranda rights, Cline admitted to possession of the narcotics, firearms, shield and body armor.

During the investigation, it later emerged that the shield and the protective vest had been acquired through drug trafficking.

Three people were arrested based on a search warrant.

See also: Five defendants in Florida car theft ring steal nearly $2.5 million worth of vehicles

The first person, 48-year-old Steven Cline, has a criminal history that includes 38 felony charges and 14 felony convictions.

Steven was charged with resisting without violence, possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of methamphetamine, possession of fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance (Suboxone), possession of cocaine, possession of alprazolam, possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, and possession of a novel drug without a prescription.

The second person, 37-year-old Ashley Dawn Cline, is currently on probation for possession of a controlled substance and has a criminal history that includes a total of six felony charges with no felony convictions.

Ashley is charged with violating probation for drug offenses, 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 grams of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, and possession of a novel drug without a prescription.

The third person, 52-year-old Darrell Floyd Kearce, was charged with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

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