Fentanyl drug trafficker arrested by CCSO after pursuit in Hernando, FL
Mugshot graphic of Kiernan courtesy of CCSO.
Citrus County, Florida - A surveillance operation conducted by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) on Wednesday evening, June 7, 2023, resulted in the seizure of 21.9 grams of fentanyl and the arrest of 25 year-old Stephen Kiernan, of Floral City, Florida.
The agency's Tactical Impact Unit (TIU) had determined that Kiernan was distributing fentanyl throughout Citrus County on a daily basis. On Wednesday evening, TIU detectives witnessed Kiernan, whose driver's license had been suspended in 2022, get into his vehicle and leave his residence. Later in the evening, when Kiernan's vehicle arrived back into Citrus County from Marion County, Florida, CCSO K-9 Deputy Riemer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle near the intersection of N. Carl G. Rose Hwy. (SR 200) and East Stokes Ferry Road in Hernando, Florida.
However, instead of stopping, Kiernan fled from the deputy, and a brief pursuit ensued. A tire deflation device was deployed that flattened the tires of Kiernan's vehicle, yet he continued traveling south on N. Carl G. Rose Hwy., at a low speed, before exiting the highway and making a left turn onto E. Orchid St. He then turned onto N. Flower Ter., traveled south to E. Delight St., where he traveled across the opposite lane of traffic into front yard of a residence - where he opened the driver's side door for a short period - and then returned to the roadway, turned left, back onto N. Carl G. Rose Hwy., where the vehicle came to a complete stop. The traffic stop was conducted, and Kiernan was taken into custody.
Deputy Riemer deployed his K-9 partner Ranger for a free air sniff around the exterior of the vehicle and received a positive alert for the presence of a controlled substance.
Within the vehicle'a interior, detectives observed white powder. They also located a clear glass smoking pipe on the driver's side front floorboard. The pipe and white powder both tested positive for the presence of fentanyl.
On S. Delight St., where Kiernan had briefly stopped during the pursuit, deputies found a fountain drink cup and also observed a white substance scattered on the ground. The white powdery substance tested positive for the presence of fentanyl. The fentanyl located near the cup weighed 11.5 grams. The fentanyl located inside the vehicle weighed 3.7 grams. The liquid inside the cup also contained fentanyl and provided a weight of 6.7 grams. The total weight of fentanyl collected was approximately 21.9 grams.
Kiernan was charged with trafficking in fentanyl, fleeing from a law enforcement officer in a marked vehicle with lights and sirens activated with wanton disregard for safety, tampering with evidence, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving while license knowingly suspended. His bond was set at $64,000.
"Our agency will continue to fight against, and protect our residents from, this weapon of mass destruction," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "It is important to stop illicit narcotics from being brought into our county in the first place. The TIU's dedication to halting the distribution train into Citrus County is truly commendable, and thanks to their hard work, we have one less dealer and over 21 grams of fentanyl off our streets."
About the CCSO Tactical Impact Unit:
The Tactical Impact Unit responsibilities include narcotics investigations, street-level reverse stings, regular checks for narcotics in schools and traffic interdiction. The unit coordinates and assists other organizations and departments in combating street-level drug crimes. The unit's detectives identify, investigate, and infiltrate street-level to mid-level narcotics dealers and their organizations within Citrus County. They work closely with other units within the Bureau of Special Investigations as well as local, state, and federal authorities.