Crime & Safety
Hernando County, FL Drug Bust: 3 Arrested in Fentanyl Probe
Hernando County, FL – Three people were arrested following a narcotics investigation that authorities say uncovered fentanyl, methamphetamine and other controlled substances at a Hernando County resid
By Nora Whitfield · 2026-10-07T17:58:26.366Z
Hernando County, FL – Three people were arrested following a narcotics investigation that authorities say uncovered fentanyl, methamphetamine and other controlled substances at a Hernando County residence.
According to the Hernando County Sheriff ’s Office, detectives with its Vice and Narcotics Unit, assisted by the Special Intelligence Unit, executed a search warrant Friday, Oct. 2, at a home at 7051 Fairlawn Street. The investigation allegedly identified 40 year old Matthew Cupps as being involved in fentanyl sales from the residence, including amounts above Florida’s trafficking threshold.
Deputies said Cupps was taken into custody outside the home. During his arrest, detectives allegedly found Dilaudid pills, a tadalafil tablet for which he did not have a prescription and a glass smoking pipe that tested positive for methamphetamine.
Authorities identified Donald Ferrin, 83, and Jill Leverich, 61, as residents of the home. Investigators said they allegedly discovered fentanyl, marijuana and drug paraphernalia in Ferrin’s bedroom.
In Leverich’s bedroom, detectives allegedly located multiple bags containing methamphetamine, Tramadol pills, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and capsules containing a white powder, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities said the capsules tested positive for 2C B, a Schedule I synthetic psychedelic substance.
The sheriff’s office said Cupps allegedly admitted during a post Miranda interview that he had sold fentanyl, including shortly before detectives served the warrant.
Cupps and Ferrin were subsequently arrested. Authorities also obtained an arrest warrant for Leverich. Investigators learned she worked at Seminole Heights Elementary School in Hillsborough County, according to the release. Tampa police took her into custody at the school Monday, Oct. 5, on the active Hernando County warrant.
All three face drug related charges. The allegations are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.