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Weeki Wachee man arrested on child neglect, drug charges

 
Eric Hooper had 6 pounds of pot in his apartment, according to Hernando County deputies.
Eric Hooper had 6 pounds of pot in his apartment, according to Hernando County deputies.
Published March 27, 2013

WEEKI WACHEE — A 34-year-old Weeki Wachee man faces child neglect and drug charges after detectives found about 6 pounds of marijuana in his apartment, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office said.

Acting Tuesday on a search warrant, detectives entered Eric J. Hooper's apartment in the 10000 block of Marengo Street and discovered a box containing marijuana packaged in vacuum-sealed bags, an arrest affidavit states.

Detectives also found some marijuana in the bedroom of a 14-year-old girl who lived there. She told investigators she found the drug under Hooper's bed, took a small amount to her room and smoked some of it.

The teen was arrested on a misdemeanor drug possession charge. The Sheriff's Office did not disclose the girl's relationship to Hooper. The Florida Department of Children and Families removed four children from the home, investigators said.

In addition to child neglect, Hooper was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of a structure for sale of narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer without violence because he refused to give his name. He was released Wednesday from the Hernando County Detention Center after posting $18,000 bail, records show.

Also arrested were Sherry Lohr, 35, who was charged with possession of marijuana, and 31-year-old Tara Lindberg, charged with possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Lohr was released Wednesday after posting $2,500 bail. Lindberg remained in jail in lieu of the same amount of bail.

Court records show Hooper has an arrest history in Hernando dating back to 1996, with convictions for battery, disorderly conduct, false imprisonment, resisting arrest and driving with a suspended or revoked license.