Orange County Sheriff's Office: Orlando-area fire leads to arrest of alleged drug dealer

OCSO: Fire leads to drug arrest / Headline SurferPhotos for Headline Surfer /
TOP: Matthew Robert McCarthy Jr. was arrested on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, on a slew of felony drug charges in greater Orlando, Florida.
LEFT: The Orange County Sheriff's Office seized drugs and cash after executing a search warrant of a residence in the 1300 block of Sophie Boulevard that led to the felony arrest of Matthew Robert McCarthy Jr.  

By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orange County Sheriff's deputies responded to a residential fire that led to a narcotics arrest.

Here is a synopsis of what occurred as described by the OCSO:  On Tuesday, at approximately 9:00 a.m., deputies responded to the fire in the 1300 block of Sophie Boulevard that reportedly began when an electric bicycle ignited.

After Orange County Fire Rescue extinguished the fire and cleared the scene, they alerted deputies that possible drug paraphernalia had been found inside the residence. Upon entering the home, deputies found narcotics and related items in plain view, prompting them to secure a search warrant. The search led to a variety of drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well as cash.

After Orange County Fire Rescue extinguished the fire and cleared the scene, they alerted deputies that possible drug paraphernalia had been found inside the residence. Upon entering the home, deputies found narcotics and related items in plain view, prompting them to secure a search warrant. The search led to a variety of drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well as cash.

Robert Matthew McCarthy Jr., 37, now faces several felony charges in this incident, including trafficking in Fentanyl, possession of cocaine, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a place of worship.

Henry Frederick press card / Headline SurferAbout the Byline Writer: 

Henry Frederick is an award-winning journalist who launched Headline Surfer in 2008. The site serves the greater Daytona Beach, Sanford, and Orlando areas via HeadlineSurfer.com in Lake Mary, Florida. Frederick earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University in Orlando. He was a breaking news reporter (metro cops & courts beat) for the Daytona Beach News-Journal for nearly a decade, and before that, the same beat with The Journal-News/Gannett Suburban Newspapers in Rockland/Westchester counties, NY, dating back to 1989. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and covering other high-profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary shows on Discovery ID, Reelz, and the Oxygen Network series "Snapped" for his analysis. Assisting Henry Frederick with Headline Surfer is Sera King, who writes sports and feature stories, takes photos, and shoots video. •  Bio: https://henryfrederick.com/.