The Hernando County Sheriff's Office asked the public for help locating Nicholas Bowermaster Sr., who was wanted on fentanyl-related charges after failing to appear in court. The office listed his date of birth as Nov. 1, 1978, in a wanted-fugitive post published Friday.
The Hernando County Sheriff's Office's Facebook post identifies Bowermaster under case number 2026-950CF. It lists a felony failure-to-appear charge and three additional counts: sale of fentanyl, selling, manufacturing, delivering or possessing a controlled substance with intent, and possession of paraphernalia.
Crime Stoppers Reward
Hernando County Crime Stoppers offered a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to Bowermaster's location and arrest.
Tips can be phoned in toll-free at 1-866-990-TIPS (8477), and the same number can be dialed as **TIPS from any cell phone, per the Crime Stoppers listing. The organization also accepts anonymous online reports and offers a free mobile tips application for both iPhone and Android, with all submissions kept anonymous regardless of which method a tipster chooses.
What Florida Law Says About Paraphernalia Charges
Among the counts listed against Bowermaster is possession of paraphernalia. Under Florida Statutes Section 893.147, it is unlawful to use or possess drug paraphernalia with intent to use it in connection with a controlled-substance violation.
Statewide Fentanyl Deaths
According to the Executive Office of the Governor, citing the Florida Medical Examiners Commission’s 2025 Annual Drug Report, fentanyl-caused deaths in Florida declined from nearly 5,000 in 2023 to approximately 2,000 in 2025. Those statewide figures do not establish anything about the allegations in Bowermaster’s case.
Residents with information were encouraged to come forward through Crime Stoppers' anonymous channels rather than contacting the sheriff's office directly.
