Woman possessing heroin sent to hospital twice Monday, deputies say

A Fort Myers woman accused of heroin possession was sent to the emergency room twice Monday, on suspicion of trying to hide evidence from law enforcement.

Just before 1 p.m., Lee County sheriff's deputies responded to a residence in the 3000 block of Clavin Boulevard and confronted 18-year-old Kerstan Trinere Harman and her companion, Roman Howard, 49. A neighbor complained the two were staying inside the home without permission.

During the investigation, deputies learned Howard had served time for second-degree murder and Harman had an active warrant. Harman was placed in handcuffs. Due to the small size of her wrists she was able to squeeze out of them and run off, arrest reports said.

A neighbor alerted deputies that Harman had ran into an empty house in the 2100 block of Braman Avenue. According to reports, they found her hiding in a closet. She had syringes and heroin in her pocket, deputies reported. While in custody, Harman told deputies she had ingested a large amount of cocaine and heroin and wasn't feeling well. EMS responded and transported her to Lee Memorial Hospital where she was treated for an overdose. Once released, she was taken to the Lee County Jail.

Reports say while at the jail, Harman was caught on videotape opening an evidence bag, containing heroin, with her teeth and placed two packets of heroin in her private area. She was again taken to Lee Memorial for observation, where she eventually reached into her clothing and removed the heroin.

Harman, of the 19000 block of Ocala Road, is facing charges of probation violation, burglary, heroin possession with intent to sell, and tampering with evidence.