Hernando County traffic stops result in firearms, drugs, nearly $12,000

A routine traffic query near Elgin Boulevard and Barclay Avenue in Spring Hill turned into a major seizure when deputies stopped a gold Honda Civic and discovered multiple firearms, suspected narcotics and nearly $12,000 in cash, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said in a July 21, 2020 media release. The stop just after 10:30 p.m. on July 20 identified the driver as Dave Eric Hensley after a tag query showed the registered owner’s license was suspended, the release states.

Deputies asked Hensley about weapons; he said he had a firearm in his pocket and showed a concealed weapons permit from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Officers removed a Ruger .380 from Hensley’s pocket and placed it in a patrol car, then ran wants and warrants while K-9 Maxx conducted a sniff that “quickly alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics,” the release says. A subsequent search produced a camouflage zippered bag behind the driver’s seat containing a firearm, three clear plastic bags holding a “crystal-like substance,” a clear bag with a large amount of green pills and numerous empty plastic bags.

The HCSO inventory also lists a sawed-off shotgun with a pistol grip and a 15-inch barrel, a black trunk bag containing numerous digital scales and another clear bag with a crystal-like substance, plus a black zippered bag in the trunk holding $11,966 in U.S. currency. The July 21 release details the items seized but does not list specific criminal charges in the excerpt provided.

Separately, FOX 13 reported deputies stopped an orange pickup at Mariner Boulevard and Tara Street for a broken left taillight and found meth reportedly hidden inside a Hello Kitty bag; two men identified only by last names, Alers and Humphrey, were arrested. FOX 13 said Alers was charged with possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia, while Humphrey faced charges including possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and resisting without violence, and that bonds were set. FOX 13 cited a Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post and quoted HCSO: “HCSO says this is a clear example of how traffic enforcement, combined with trained K9 partners and attentive deputies, keeps dangerous drugs and weapons off the streets.”

A third stop detailed by CBS12 involved a gray Chevrolet pickup pulled for a burnt-out headlight. CBS12 reported the driver as Jonathan Skinner and the passenger as Jessica Eggleton, and said deputies recovered 27 grams of methamphetamine, 0.6 grams of cocaine and multiple items of drug paraphernalia. CBS12 listed charges against Skinner for possession of cocaine, trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia and driving while license suspended or revoked; Eggleton was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia, according to the outlet and HCSO photos the story referenced.

These accounts describe at least three distinct traffic stops with different vehicles, locations and suspects; the July 20, 2020 Spring Hill stop is documented in the HCSO media release, while the Hello Kitty bag stop and the burnt-out headlight stop are reported by FOX 13 and CBS12 respectively. The HCSO release lists Denise M. Moloney as Community/Media Relations Manager and provides media contact 352-797-3609; the sheriff’s office main phone is 352-754-6830 and the agency’s mailing address is P.O. BOX 10070, Brooksville FL 34603-0070. Investigations and agency follow-up were ongoing in the accounts reviewed; the HCSO release did not include arrest or booking details for the Spring Hill stop in the excerpt provided.