Known gang member, 2 others arrested during drug bust in Spring Hill: Deputies

SPRING HILL, Fla. - On Friday, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office Vice and Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant with the help of the HCSO SWAT team in Spring Hill.

During the execution of the warrant at a home in the 6000 block of Ashland Drive, deputies say 48-year-old Steven James Thurman Cline snuck out the back of the home and was found at a next-door neighbor's house. During the search, detectives say they found numerous narcotics, seven firearms, body armor, and a ballistic "Police" shield (rifle-rated).

According to HCSO, after Cline was read his rights, he claimed ownership/possession of the narcotics, firearms, shield, and body armor.

Courtesy: Hernando County Sheriff's Office

The investigation revealed that the shield and body armor were acquired as a "trade" for drugs, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies say this is a culmination of several months of investigation, including several traffic stops from the residence, which also resulted in arrests for trafficking in methamphetamine.

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Hernando County units from Vice and Narcotics, SWAT, K9, Forensics, District Deputies and COPPS all helped with the investigation.

Cline is a "Florida known gang member" who has a lengthy criminal history, according to officials. Authorities say he has a total of 38 felony charges and 14 felony convictions.

Cline's charges as a result of the search warrant include:

Resisting without violence
Possession of 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 Marijuana more than 20g
Possession of Paraphernalia
Possession of a New Legend Drug without prescription

Ashley Dawn Cline, 37, was also arrested. She was currently on probation for possession of a controlled substance and had a total of six felony charges, according to law enforcement.

Her charges as a result of the search warrant include: