FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Report 06/19 - 06/25/2015

 

FWC

Division of Law Enforcement

 

Weekly Report

 

June 19, 2015 thru June 25, 2015

 

This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week;

however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.

 

Patrol, Protect, Preserve

 

 

NORTHWEST REGION

 

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

 

Officers Miller, Cushing, Jones, Tolbert and the U.S. Coast Guard participated in a two night detail conducting inspections of commercial shrimp vessels in Pensacola Bay.  A total of seven vessels were boarded. One citation was issued for fishing more than two nets and one warning was issued for not having a restricted species endorsement.

 

Lieutenant Hahr was patrolling in the Perdido River WMA at Fillingim Landing when he observed a car pull into the parking area and stop abruptly.  The driver exited the car and began swearing and yelling at several others that appeared to be in his group.  He turned the music up in the car and seemed to be threatening the others with violence as he pounded his fists together and threw up his hands in a fighting stance.  Lieutenant Hahr approached the man and called him away from the car.  The man immediately quieted down and stated that everything was fine when asked about his behavior.  Lieutenant Hahr detected the odor of alcoholic beverages on his breath and other indicators of impairment.  He conducted field sobriety tasks and determined that the man was impaired.  He also determined that the man’s driver license had been suspended numerous times in the past and was currently not valid.  He placed the man under arrest and escorted him from the area.  The man was transported to the Escambia County Jail where a breath test was conducted.  His breath alcohol level was .190g/210L.  He was booked for DUI and driving with a suspended driver license.

 

Officer Webb concluded a boating accident investigation that involved a hit and run on the Escambia River.  The accident happened when a vessel operator who was towing a skier veered into the path of another vessel.  After the accident, the operator of the vessel towing the skier fled from the scene.  There were only minor injuries to the victims in the second vessel.  Through his investigation, Officer Webb was able to identify the operator who fled.  He spoke with the subject several times and made arrangements to meet, but the subject would not show up.  Officer Webb obtained warrants on the subject for leaving the scene of a boating accident, failure to report a boating accident, and careless operation of a vessel.

 

LIBERTY COUNTY

 

Lieutenant Parker was on land patrol in the Apalachicola National Forest, when he observed two subjects parked on a Forest road near an area where dogs were trailing a deer. After conducting a resource check, both individuals were cited for running deer with dogs during closed season.

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY

 

While on patrol in the Destin Pass, Officer Corbin observed three subjects spearfishing at the Destin East Jetty. Officer Corbin spoke with the subjects and advised them to meet him on the beach nearby because of the rocks and strong current.  While waiting on the subjects, Officer Corbin contacted Officer Rockwell to assist and watch his vessel.  Officer Corbin walked down the Jetty to address the violations and was unable to locate the subjects.  While on the beach, he located an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s deputy and they began to search for the subjects.  Officer Corbin spoke with several people on the beach and they stated the subjects ran down the beach with their gear and into the Destin Pointe Condos. One of the witnesses found a cell phone that was dropped by one of the subjects. Officer Corbin tracked the subjects into the condos and observed the subjects get into a car and leave.  Officer Corbin was able to get a license plate from surveillance video at the entrance of the condos.  Officer Corbin met back with the deputy and gave him the cell phone while he continued to search for the subjects.  A short time later, the deputy received a phone call on the lost cell phone and it was one of the subjects. The subject agreed to meet Officer Corbin on the beach.  The subject admitted to spearfishing, running away, and hiding the spearfishing gear in the sand dunes. Officer Corbin contacted the other two subjects and they agreed to meet him.  All three subjects were criminally charged with spearfishing from the jetty, interference with FWC officer and cited for not having a diver’s down flag.

 

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

 

Officer Hutchinson received a complaint regarding a subject who had illegally harvested and possessed an alligator gar from the Escambia River.  Officer Hutchinson followed up on the complaint and located the subject.  After further investigation and interviewing of the subject at his residence, Officer Hutchinson discovered that the subject was still in possession of the alligator gar.  The gar had been caught on hook and line gear and then shot with a rifle.  He seized the meat and carcass and charged the man with illegal taking/possession of an alligator gar.

 

 

NORTHEAST REGION

 

BREVARD COUNTY

 

Officers Hadwin and Lightsey taught the law portion of the Hunters Safety Course in Palm Bay, FL. Approximately 17 new and aspiring hunters were present to learn the hunting regulations and their application.

 

Officer Lightsey observed two men fishing from a local creek. After observing the men, the plain clothes officer approached them and identified himself as a Fish and Wildlife Officer. A resource inspection revealed the men were in possession of over the bag limit of mangrove snapper and in possession of six undersized mangrove snapper.   A citation was issued for the undersized snapper and one warning for over the bag limit for snapper.

 

OSCEOLA COUNTY

 

Investigator Trusley received a call from dispatch, that the Florida Highway Patrol requested assistance with a fatality car crash. While assisting with traffic control, a subject in a pickup truck disregarded the officers, traffic cones, and large directional sign directing traffic to a detour, and drove through the barricades. Investigator Trusley conducted a traffic stop on the truck and upon making contact with the driver detected the odor of cannabis emitting from the vehicle. The subsequent investigation revealed that the subject was in possession of cannabis under 20 grams and possession of paraphernalia, the subject was charged accordingly.

 

Officer Lejarzar received a complaint from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office that a subject harvested a goliath grouper. Officer Lejarzar began investigating and obtained witness statements, as well as video footage from nearby security cameras. He obtained a license plate number and after researching he located a name and address of a man in Osceola County. Investigator Trusley and Officer Lejarzar went to the subjects house and conducted an interview. The subject confessed to harvesting the goliath grouper and stated that he had got rid of the meat and buried the carcass in the back yard. The subject dug the carcass up and provided a section to the officers, as well as a written statement.  Charges were direct filed with the Brevard County States Attorney’s Office.

 

PUTNAM COUNTY

 

Officer Rice received a complaint that an individual was attempting to sell an American Alligator on craigslist. Two individuals later offered to sell officers an American Alligator. Both men were from out of state and were subsequently arrested and booked into the Putnam County Jail.

 

MARION COUNTY

 

Officer Rice was on patrol when he received information about individuals spearing bass on the Rainbow River in Dunnellon. Officer Rice responded to the area and conducted surveillance from a concealed location to try and locate the individuals matching the description. After approximately 30 minutes, Officer Rice observed individuals exiting the water with masks and fins. One of the individuals was carrying a mesh bag. Officer Rice observed fish in the mesh bag and made contact with the male. There was one bass and four pan fish inside the bag that all had evidence of being speared. A few minutes later another individual exited the water with a Hawaiian sling. This individual admitted to having speared the fish. He was issued a notice to appear for the violation.

 

 

NORTH CENTRAL REGION

 

COLUMBIA COUNTY

 

Lieutenant Kiss, Officers Carey and Langford were called out late Friday night for a reported lost family on the upper Suwannee River at the north end of Columbia County. Apparently the family of five, including the parents and three children ages 12, 8 and 3 got lost approximately 2.5 miles south of Cone Bridge County Boat Ramp. Officers launched their patrol vessel and followed the river downstream until they located the stranded family at approximately 1:30 .a. m. The family was tired but safe. The officers loaded the family up and towed their canoe back to the Cone Bridge Boat Ramp.

 

SUWANNEE COUNTY

 

Officers Pekerol, Boone, Mobley and Ransom were patrolling the Suwannee River near the confluence of the Santa Fe River when they observed a vessel violating the posted slow speed zone. Officer Pekerol made contact with the operator, and while conducting a boating safety inspection the operator displayed signs of possible impairment. Officer Pekerol conducted field sobriety tasks and established probable cause that the operator was boating under the influence. The operator was then placed under arrest for boating under the influence. After arriving at the Suwannee County Jail, the vessel operator provided a breath sample which revealed a breath alcohol content of .108.

 

 

SOUTHWEST REGION

 

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

 

While working on private property and issuing numerous trespass warnings, Officers Norris, Scinta and K-9 Officer Stasko received a call from a citizen around 2330 hours about two men keeping snook on a vessel. Officer Stasko was able to locate the vessel by land and keep eyes on the suspects until a patrol vessel was on scene.  Officers Norris and Scinta got on a patrol vessel and as the officers were approaching the two men, one of them walked to the front of the boat and began throwing fish into the water.  The man continued to do so even after he was instructed to stop by the officers.  Officer Scinta was able to jump onto the suspects’ boat before any more fish could be thrown into the water.  Officers Norris and Scinta escorted the vessel to a boat ramp where K-9 Pearson was deployed to conduct a vessel sniff.  K-9 Pearson gave an indication on the front release well.  Once opened, it confirmed the vessel still had a snook on board.  Officer Stasko and K-9 Pearson were able to ensure there were no other fish hidden in any compartments.  The two men were charged with a total of 5 criminal charges and 1 infraction. 

 

LEE COUNTY

 

Officer McColgin was working in plain clothes observing people fishing at night in various locations in and around Lovers Key State Park.  Officer McColgin located a group of seven people who had trespassed onto a fenced and posted dock in order to fish for snook.  Lieutenant Barrett arrived to back up Officer McColgin.  Using night vision, Officer McColgin was able to watch several of the subjects climbing over fences, catching snook, and even using a gig.  As several of individuals prepared to leave, Officer McColgin and Lieutenant Barrett broke cover and confronted the trespassers.  Appropriate warnings and citations were issued for trespassing, harvest of undersized snook, and harvest of snook out of season.

 

LEE COUNTY COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

 

Officer Spoede and Lieutenant Smith did a presentation at the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Camp at Immokalee High School.  There were several deputy camp counselors and approximately 40 kids aged 6-11 in attendance.  The Officers had a 30 minute presentation on the FWC, boating safety and local wildlife. 

 

PINELLAS COUNTY

 

Officers Bibeau and Czarnota were on land patrol at the Friendship Trail Bridge, when they made contact with four individuals that were fishing while trespassing from the bridge. The Officers advised the individuals that they were trespassing and conducted a fisheries inspection. At the conclusion of the inspection Officer Czarnota found one of the individuals to be in possession of a 14 inch snook. Officer Czarnota wrote the individual a misdemeanor citation for possession of snook out of season and a warning for possession of undersized snook. All four individuals were also written a warning for trespassing.

 

Officer Ferguson was on land patrol in the area of the Dunedin Causeway.  While on patrol, he stopped and performed a fisheries inspection on two individuals crabbing off the causeway.  After his fisheries inspection was complete he found that one of the individuals was in possession of stone crabs out of season.  The crabs were also undersized and in whole condition.  The individual was given one criminal citation for possession of stone crabs during closed season and several other fisheries warnings.

 

Officer Ferguson and Officer Pulaski were on water patrol around Three Rooker Island.  While on patrol, they stopped a vessel returning from a day of fishing to perform a fisheries inspection.  After the inspection was done, the two Officers found that one of the passengers aboard the vessel had speared a gag grouper out of season.  The fisherman was given one criminal citation for possession of gag grouper out of season.

 

Lieutenant Wells, Officers Smith and Freemon were on offshore patrol on the FWC Patrol Vessel Guardian.  As they were approaching a commercial fishing vessel approximately 60 miles west of Clearwater, the deck hands dumped a bucked of product over the side.  The product appeared to be bait, but it was later discovered that the commercial fishermen were using reef fish as bait. A citation was issued for reef fish not in whole condition.

 

Lieutenant Wells, Officers Smith and Freemon were on offshore patrol on the FWC Patrol Vessel Guardian.  They boarded a commercial fishing vessel approximately 75 miles west of the coast to perform a fisheries inspection.  It was determined that the vessel was in possession of undersized cobia and they were also in possession of trigger fish during the closed season.  A citation was issued for the undersized cobia and a warning was issued for possession of trigger fish during the closed season. 

 

Lieutenant Wells, Officers Smith and Freemon were on offshore patrol on the FWC Patrol Vessel Guardian.  Approximately 65 miles west of the coast they boarded a recreational fishing vessel to conduct a fisheries and boating safety inspection.  The vessel had several people onboard including minors.  They were limited out on several species and the occupants seamed nervous.  The minors kept advising the officers that there were no more fish onboard.  The officers continued searching and located scales of gag grouper, which is currently closed.  The officers interviewed the vessel captain about the possibility of the vessel being in possession of gag grouper.  The vessel captain denied having any other fish on board.  Due to the actions of the vessel captain as well as everyone onboard the officers kept searching, and then they located 3 large Ziploc bags full of fillets.  The vessel captain then admitted that the fillets were gag grouper and red snapper.  The vessel captain was issued a citation for reef fish not in whole condition, undersized vermillion snapper, possession of gag grouper during the closed season, and interfering with the duties of an FWC Officer.

 

Officer Martinez was on land patrol in the area of the North Skyway Bridge.  While on patrol, he performed a fisheries inspection on a group of men fishing from the shoreline.  Upon completion of his inspection he found that the men were over their daily bag limit of red drum. The men were also in possession of one oversized red drum.  One of the fishermen was given a criminal citation for possession of oversized red drum and a warning was written for over the bag limit of red drum.

 

 

SOUTH REGION A

 

BROWARD COUNTY

 

Officer Mirabal was on land patrol in the area of the L-5 Levee and the S8 Pump Station. He observed two individuals shinning lights down the levee. He made contact with the individuals and after a records check, one of the individuals had an active felony warrant. The individual was placed under arrest and transported to the Broward County Jail.

 

Officer Alford and Mirabal responded to a call from Ft. Lauderdale Police in reference to assisting them with a vessel inspection. Officer Mirabal went through 35 bags of queen conch. There were 12 conch in each bag. In total there were 420 conch, 23 lane snapper, 17 yellowtail snapper, and 1 gray snapper for the two individuals on board the vessel. They stated that they were in the Bahamas and bought all the fish and conch. They couldn’t provide any receipts for the purchase. Officer Mirabal and Alford assisted US Fish and Wildlife in processing the evidence. The case was turned over to the USFW.

 

Officers Brock and Tarr were on patrol in the Hillsboro Inlet area. They observed a vessel inbound from offshore. The officers conducted a boating safety and marine fisheries inspection on the vessel. Pursuant to a marine fisheries inspection the vessel was found to contain a total of 9 dolphin. Four of the dolphin were undersized. With this information gathered, one individual on the vessel was issued a criminal notice to appear for possession of four undersized dolphin. Four dead undersized dolphin were seized as evidence. 

 

PALM BEACH COUNTY

 

In the early morning hours, Officers Harris and Nasworth were on water patrol in the area of Pahokee Marina. Officer Nasworth dropped Officer Harris off at the end of the pier to conduct freshwater fisheries inspections, while Officer Nasworth traveled to the entrance of the pier. As Officer Nasworth was approaching the dock at the entrance of the pier, he observed a subject actively fishing with rod and reel. As Officer Nasworth got closer to the dock he observed the subject look at him then reach into a bucket and grab a fish. Officer Nasworth gave the subject loud verbal commands to put the fish back into the bucket and not throw it back. Officer Nasworth observed the subject throw the fish over the pier into the water. Officer Nasworth provided the subject with a citation and court date for the violation.

 

Officers Toby and Harris were on patrol near Canal Point in Palm Beach County. The officers were responding to complaints that individuals were taking freshwater game fish by cast net at this location. While in this area, Officer Toby observed two individuals using a cast net to catch freshwater game fish. After observing these two individuals for a few minutes, Officer Toby stopped them. Officer Harris immediately arrived on scene to assist. Upon inspection, the two individuals were found to be in possession of 60 Black Crappie (49) of which were undersized, and one black bass; all of which were taken by cast net. Both subjects were arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail for taking freshwater game fish by illegal method, bag limit violations, and size limit violations.

 

ST. LUCIE COUNTY

 

Officer James Payne was called out to respond to a boat crash that occurred on the North Fork of the Saint Lucie River. Information received also determined that both vessels were safely secured on shore and the subjects involved were present and standing by. Upon his arrival he observed a personal water craft and a small Hobie Cat style sailing vessel. Upon interviewing witnesses and subjects involved, it was determined that the crash occurred due to the PWC operator’s reckless operation. As the Hobie Cat was operated and maneuvered in the river, the PWC was circling around them and attempted to spray water on the subjects several times. On the last attempt, the PWC came into contact with the Hobie Cat’s bow causing minor gel coat damage to both vessels. One subject on the Hobie Cat suffered a minor wrist sprain. The PWC operator was cited.   

 

Officer Randy Irwin was called to assist Animal Control on a case involving a vehicle striking and killing a Sandhill Crane. Upon his arrival he met with the Animal Control Officer and was then advised she had the vehicles description and Florida tag number and several witnesses that saw the incident. The information returned a name and address for a subject that lived very close to where the incident had occurred. They both then went to the address but found no vehicle there. They then decided to leave the area and return later. As Officer Irwin sat in the parking lot of a nearby gas station, he observed a vehicle matching the description given earlier. He then confirmed the tag to be the same. He proceeded to follow the vehicle when it departed, as it appeared to be heading in the direction of the residence. Animal Control was alerted and responded to the residence. As the subject exited the vehicle, Officer Irwin made contact with him. The subject advised he knew about the dead Sandhill Crane but denied striking it with his vehicle. Further information revealed that the subject’s driver license was suspended (DWLS) and if he was driving a vehicle he owned, the tag was to be seized. Officer Irwin issued the subject a Uniform Traffic Citation for DWLS and removed the tag from the vehicle. Animal Control then issued a summons to the subject for failure to report the incident.

  

Officer Payne was on patrol several weeks ago making contact with a subject on a vessel at a local boat ramp. During that stop it was determined that the subject might be new to boating and fishing in the area and although several minor resource violations were observed only education and a stern warning was given. Approximately three weeks later, the subject was observed once again at the same ramp and another inspection was conducted. The subject however, upon seeing Officer Payne approach, became very nervous and evasive. The resource inspection of the cooler revealed several unregulated fish. As the subject began to remove the fish it was obvious that he was concealing an undersized grouper. The subject was cited for the violation.   

 

 

SOUTH REGION B

 

COLLIER COUNTY

 

Investigator Van Trees received information about someone cast netting undersized fish at Delnor-Wiggins State Park. Investigator Van Trees identified the individual’s campsite and conducted surveillance for an hour as the individual caught fish and placed them in a small bait bucket. Investigator Van Trees conducted a fisheries inspection and found undersized sheepshead and permit in his bait bucket. The individual denied having any other fish but, after a short interview, admitted to having more fish at his campsite.  The individual was cited for 13 misdemeanor violations, which included undersized sheepshead, permit and over the bag limit of permit.

 

Officer Kleis and Officer White conducted a fisheries inspection on three individuals fishing near the Jolley Bridge.  Two of the individuals did not have valid fishing licenses.  The individuals were in possession of undersized red grouper, mangrove snapper and lane snapper, which were all released alive. In total, the officers issued 6 misdemeanors for undersized fish and two citations for not having a valid fishing licenses.

 

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

 

Officers Delgado and Almalgro issued 13 citations around the slow speed manatee zone on the Intracoastal Waterway south of 79^th Street Causeway.

 

Officer Martin conducted a vessel safety and fisheries check at Homestead Bayfront, which found two men to be in possession of two 14 inch red groupers and one 17 inch yellowfin grouper. The vessel captain admitted ownership of the undersized fish and he was cited accordingly.

 

Upon leaving Bill Bags State Park, Officer Martin observed two men fishing from Virginia Key Bridge next to a posted “no fishing” sign. Officer Martin initiated a fisheries check and immediately noticed both men were in a rush to leave. A background check found both men to have active warrants. One man for driving with a suspended license, the second had two out-of county warrants; one for burglary and a second for driving with a suspended license. The men were taken into custody and transported to a correctional facility.

 

Officer Delgado responded to a boating accident at Intracoastal Waterway just North of Panic Island. The incident involved a male and female on a jet ski. The female sustained injuries and was transported to the Jackson Ryder Trauma hospital where Investigator Landa conducted interviews regarding the incident.

 

Investigator Landa remained at the Jackson Ryder Trauma hospital to gather information in regards to a separate boating accident that occurred in Monroe County.

 

MONROE COUNTY

 

Officer Mattson was on water patrol in Big Basin, Islamorada when he observed a woman operating a small vessel in the area. The woman appeared disoriented. Officer Mattson pulled up next to her to perform a boating safety inspection. He observed that the woman had slurred speech and watery glassy eyes. She had trouble completing simple tasks of locating safety gear and registration.  The woman admitted to taking an anti-anxiety medication and drinking two beers. Seated field sobriety tasks indicated clues of impairment. She was arrested for boating under the influence.

 

Officer Hein was on state land patrol in the Islamorada area and conducted a resource inspection on a vessel that had just been pulled out of the water. The individuals said they had only caught a little bit of fish. Officer Hein asked to see the fish and was briefly shown a bucket full of fish which the individuals indicated was all they had. Officer Hein noticed another bucket in the stern of the vessel that was also filled with fish. Upon closer inspection, the 2 individuals were in possession of 37 total snapper with 16 being undersized. They were arrested and transported to a detention facility for multiple resource violations.

 

Investigator Munkelt and Officer Trueblood were conducting fisheries checks at Channel 5 bridge when they saw a male and female exiting the bridge with coolers and fishing equipment.  When the male subject saw the two uniformed officers he dropped his cooler and gear and ran for the water. In his hand he had a grocery bag which he threw towards the water as he jumped in.  During this time, officers were advising the subject to stop and he refused to obey their lawful commands. The subject actively tried to swim away to avoid interaction with the officers. The current swept him out of sight and darkness overtook the scene.  Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, U. S. Coast Guard and additional water units and land units were dispatched to locate and rescue the individual.  After about an hour and half, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office located the subject along the roadside hiding in the mangroves, approximately a mile away from the initial contact. The cooler on the bridge was inspected and contained legal fish and no violations.  The bag which the suspect threw towards the water got caught on a mangrove branch and was recovered.  The bag contained numerous undersized and illegally caught fish.  The subject was booked into jail with 16 misdemeanor charges.  Officers Hein, Mattson, Investigator Daniels, Lieutenant Haney and Lieutenant Riesz also assisted.

 

Officer Krieger responded to a boating accident with injuries, involving a rented vessel striking a channel marker and ejecting both occupants.  Both occupants were picked up by a Good Samaritan as the vessel continued to do circles at a high rate of speed.  Both occupants were transported to the hospital and later released.  The vessel was successfully stopped by Officer Krieger and Dri.

 

Investor Munkelt and Officer Trueblood responded to a vessel accident near Tavernier.  The vessel was operating at a high rate of speed in a narrow mangrove channel when the operator lost control and went into the mangroves.  One female was airlifted with facial trauma and serious injuries.  The accident is still under investigation.

 

Officer Mattson was on water patrol at night, when he observed a vessel traveling without navigation lights. He stopped the operator, a Tavernier man and told him the reason for the stop. Officer Mattson immediately observed that the subject had slurred speech and watery glassy bloodshot eyes. The subject had a difficult time finding the registration and remembering where equipment was located on the boat. Officer Mattson asked him he would be willing to do a field sobriety exercises and the operator said that he would. Field sobriety exercises gave indication of impairment. The subject was taken into U.S. Coast Guard Islamorada and refused the breath test because he had just done a "shot" before leaving the bar. Lieutenant Riesz assisted with transporting the subject to Plantation Key Jail where he was booked for boating under the influence.