3 face charges in case of possible Fentanyl exposure – News – Daily Commercial

CLERMONT — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office levied charges Wednesday against three Clermont suspects following a traffic stop resulting in potential Fentanyl exposure for a deputy, two firefighters and one of the suspects Tuesday night.

Police charged Rebecca Wagner, 36, Brennan Dowling, 30, and Stephanie Martin, 29, with possessing various drugs and, in Dowling’s case, tampering with evidence, which police think may have caused the Fentanyl exposure.

Sgt. Fred Jones of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said those treated were fine Wednesday, and the suspect was transported to Lake County Jail that same night. Deputies didn’t find Fentanyl in the car but it’s believed it was airborne during the incident.

“The deputy did advise that when he initiated the traffic stop he observed a lot of movement in the car by the subjects which is consistent with subjects attempting to hide drugs which could have resulted in the drug being airborne,” Jones, Sheriff’s Office spokesman, wrote in an email Wednesday.

When deputies searched a vehicle Tuesday night during a traffic stop on Florida Boys Ranch Road near County Road 561, the searching deputy reportedly spotted a bag of what appeared to be heroin on top of a purse belonging to one of the vehicle’s occupants. When he went to pick it up, he suffered a serious reaction and passed out. Another deputy on-scene administered Narcan, a drug used to reverse the effects of an overdose, to revive the deputy.

Firefighters responded to the scene to offer medical assistance and also began to feel sick shortly after. Dowling suffered a similar reaction. All four were taken to South Lake Hospital after decontamination by a hazmat team.

The drugs present at the scene, including heroin, were sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for analysis due to the threat of Fentanyl exposure.

According to the DEA, Fentanyl is up to 100 times more powerful than morphine and is often sold under the guise of heroin. The misconception can sometimes lead to overdoses. Sgt. Fred Jones said that overdose effect is what first responders suffered from during the incident.

“When a person is exposed to (Fentanyl), it’s as if they’re overdosing on the drug,” Jones said. That’s why Narcan was deployed.

A majority of the drug charges went to Dowling, who was charged with possession of heroin, Xanax, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and tampering with evidence. Wagner, the driver, was charged with driving without a license, possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Martin, whose purse allegedly contained the heroin, was charged with possession of heroin and paraphernalia.