A warrant connected to a woman accused of selling drugs to deputies from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) resulted in multiple drug-related arrests and the confiscation of both narcotics and drug paraphernalia.
On July 21 HCSO Vice and Narcotics Division detectives executed a search warrant at 3138 Glenbrook Ave. in Spring Hill. The warrant stems from an investigation during which the property’s resident, 32-year-old Kristen Elizabeth Whalen, is accused of selling methamphetamine and fentanyl to undercover officers.
When they served the warrant, deputies found Stephanie Marasco and Richard Watkins who reside together in one of the bedrooms, inside the home.
They also found a felony amount of narcotics inside the home.
As a result, both Watkins, 53 and Marasco, 49 were arrested.
Watkins was charged with possession of the controlled substance Hydrocodone and possession of drug paraphernalia. Marasco was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
While executing the warrant, detectives also learned that Whalen was at the Hernando County Detention Center, picking up an inmate that was being released.
Detectives went to the Hernando County Detention Center and found Whalen sitting in a vehicle along with Angela Kronemberg and Lindy Carter.
During their search of the vehicle and the three individuals inside detectives found various narcotics and paraphernalia.
All three individuals were placed under arrest.
Carter, 39 was charged with four counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance including Carfentanil, Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Hydromorphone, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia.
Kronemberg, age 30, was charged with possession of the controlled substance fentanyl, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Whalen was charged with two counts of possession of the Controlled Substance including fentanyl and methamphetamine, two counts of bringing contraband into a correctional facility and possession of drug paraphernalia.
In connection with the transactions that allegedly took place during the undercover investigation,Whalen is also charged with sale of methamphetamine within 1,000-feet of a place of worship, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of a structure for the sale of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
She is also charged with sale of fentanyl within 1,000-feet of a place of worship, possession of fentanyl with intent to sell, possession of a structure for sale of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Whalen is being held at the Hernando County Detention Center on a total bond of $103,000.
Anyone who would like to report suspected drug activity in Hernando County, should call the Vice and Narcotics Office at 352-754-6830.
“Please keep in mind, investigations of this nature can take a considerable amount of time,” a HCSO spokesperson said. “While you may not see anything indicative of an investigation, including marked patrol cars, rest assured, the detectives follow up on all leads or information provided.”
