FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Report 12/12 - 12/18/2014

FWC

Division of Law Enforcement

 

Weekly Report

December 12^th thru December 18^th, 2014

 

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

 

Bay County

 

Officer Gore was conducting resource inspections at the Burnt Mill Creek Boat Ramp when a commercial oyster boat coming to dock made a U-turn upon seeing the officer.  Officer Gore learned a subject was dropped off upstream and found he possessed no saltwater products license to commercially harvest oysters, a small baggie of cannabis and two baggies of crystal methamphetamine.  The subject was booked into the Bay County Jail for the violations.

 

Lieutenant Chesser received a call concerning a subject that was selling oysters out of the back of his truck.  Lieutenant Chesser and Officer Gore responded and found the subject to be a commercial oysterman selling oyster’s retail.  Seven bags of oysters were seized and returned to the waters and citations were issued.

 

Officers Basford and Hellett were working duck hunting on Deerpoint Lake when they observed two hunters shooting at red-winged blackbirds and double-breasted cormorants.  The hunters were checked and one cormorant and two blackbirds were observed floating nearby.  Citations were issued for taking/attempting to take migratory non-game birds and warnings were issued for no migratory bird permit, failure to sign a federal duck stamp, and no vessel registration on board.

 

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

 

Officers Livesay and Miller along with Investigator Goley worked a detail targeting night hunting in an area where multiple complaints have recently been received. From a concealed location, Officer Livesay observed occupants of one vehicle quickly shine a small light in multiple locations attempting to disclose deer.  Officer Livesay stopped the vehicle and discovered a rifle in the front seat between two subjects. After questioning, one of the subjects admitted they were trying to kill a deer.  Officer Livesay seized the gun and light and issued notice to appear citations for the violation.

 

Lieutenant Lambert was given the last name and vehicle description of two subjects that had illegally killed two doe deer at night.  Both deer were shot with a .22 caliber rifle, five days apart.  Neither deer was recovered by the subjects, but both deer were found the day after they were shot.  Several hours after receiving the tip, Lieutenant Lambert observed one of the suspects shining a light attempting to disclose deer on the same road where one of the deer was shot earlier in the week.  At that time, the subject did not have a gun in his possession, but after being questioned, admitted to killing the two illegal deer.  After obtaining a written confession, Lieutenant Lambert traveled to the second subject’s house and obtained a second written confession.  The rifle was seized and charges were filed on both subjects for two counts of taking deer at night with a gun and light.

 

Officers Cushing and Barnard were on water patrol on the Escambia River. They received a complaint regarding multiple bait sites in the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area (WMA). While investigating this complaint, they came across a vessel in the described area. As they were getting out of their vessel on the bank, they observed a subject carrying an automated barrel feeder back to his boat. When confronted, he denied having any previous knowledge of the equipment. He stated that he was removing it from the area because he knew it was a violation. An inspection of his boat revealed a hand-held seed broadcaster with corn in it. Two areas were located with corn and hunting equipment in the immediate area. After a thorough investigation, the officers obtained a written statement from the subject and a citation was issued for placing bait in the WMA. In addition, one citation for an expired registration and several warnings for other boating safety and hunting violations were issued.

 

Holmes County

 

Officer Yates was working night hunting when he observed a truck shining a field with a spotlight.  He stopped the vehicle and observed a hunting rifle sitting between two individuals.  The subjects admitted to hunting deer with the light and were issued citations. The driver also received citations for driving with a suspended license and attaching a tag not assigned to the vehicle.

 

Officers Jackson and Forehand responded to a complaint in an area where shots had been heard and, after conducting surveillance, observed a truck driving down the road shining a spotlight into a field.  An inspection revealed three Alabama residents with four guns.  An investigation revealed that they had permission to hunt the field for hogs; however, they had killed a fox.  The driver was issued a citation for killing a fox.

 

GADSDEN COUNTY

 

Lieutenant Parker cited a Leon County man for willful and wanton waste of wildlife. The individual had shot a buck deer in the Joe Budd WMA which did not meet the antler length requirements for the area. The individual hid the deer and left the area. Another hunter had observed the violation. The FWC was notified and the subject was located the following day.

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY

 

Officer Arnette received information that an individual was seen entering the Blackwater Wildlife Management Area with a centerfire rifle during muzzleloading season.  Officer Arnette relayed the information to Officer Tison.  Officer Tison went to the location where the individual was allegedly hunting.  Upon inspection, the individual was found hunting with a 30-06 rifle and was cited for the violation.

 

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

 

Officers Clark and Cushing and Federal Officer Demesillo were patrolling Gulf of Mexico federal waters in the FinCat (off-shore patrol vessel). Of the boats they inspected, three were found to be in violation. Federal citations were issued for possession of red snapper, gray triggerfish, red grouper, and gag grouper during a closed season.

 

Washington County

 

Officer Kinney responded to a dog-hunting complaint in Hinson Crossroads. The complainant advised that a hunting dog was barking at his goats and trying to get in the pen.  Officer Kinney arrived, caught the dog and notified the owner.  After interviews were conducted, it was determined that the Westville resident had been hog hunting on the Choctawhatchee WMA and lost control of his dog allowing it to go on private property.  He was charged with the violation and his dog was returned.

 

Lieutenant Walsingham was off duty when he encountered three individuals hunting while trespassing.  Officer Jackson responded to assist.  The three were charged with trespassing and one was also charged with possession of cannabis less than 20 grams.

 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

 

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

 

The FWC successfully kicked off the 6^th annual Blackwater Family Hunt this past weekend with a pre-hunt safety meeting, free dinner and prize give-away.  This event, organized by local officers and FWC staff, precedes the annual weekend family hunt in Blackwater.  Numerous sponsors of the event provide everything from food and drinks to door prizes for the youth hunters.  The weekend hunt started off with a bang as eight lucky hunters bagged deer on Saturday morning.  Two more deer were taken that evening and a total of seven deer were taken on Sunday, making the hunt one of the most successful ever.  There were approximately 90 people in attendance with approximately 45 of those being youth.

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY

 

Officer J. Rockwell taught the laws portion of a Hunter Safety class at Okaloosa Correctional Institute. Thirty-two students were in attendance. Officer Rockwell answered questions about the new antler restrictions for the two different deer management units.

 

 

NORTH CENTRAL REGION

 

ALACHUA COUNTY

 

Officers Lasher, Troiano and Acevedo along with Dixie and Gilchrist County officers; Lieutenant Williams, Officers Allen, Butler and Columbia County Officer Johnston worked a detail inspecting dove fields. While checking for birds and license requirement, the officers checked a large field with several hunters actively shooting. It was discovered that the field had been baited with large amounts of sunflower seeds. Appropriate citations were issued. While tending the above violation, the officers could hear shooting from a nearby field. Officers Johnston and Troiano arrived at the location and observed a vehicle attempting to leave the area. The officers checked the subject and found him to be in possession of 6 doves as well as 24 grams of marijuana. Officers Allen and Butler arrived and began checking hunters on the field. While checking licenses and birds they discovered that the field was baited with a 3-grain scratch. The individual with the marijuana was arrested for felony possession of cannabis and appropriate citations were issued for taking migratory birds over bait.

 

CLAY COUNTY

 

Officer Heath checked a hunter in Camp Blanding WMA who was in possession of a deer that did not meet the antler restriction of the WMA rules of three points or better on one side. The hunter stated that he did know about the antler restriction in Camp Blanding WMA and thought the deer needed one antler of 5 or more inches. Officer Heath measured the antler of the deer and the longest spike measured less than 3 inches. The subject was issued a citation for taking illegal deer on Camp Blanding WMA.

 

COLUMBIA COUNTY

 

Lieutenant Kiss and Officer McDonald responded to a boating accident that occurred at Alligator Lake. An airboat with two men on board took on water and sank in about six feet of water. Both men were able to climb up to the highest point of the vessel to await rescue. Columbia County Sheriff’s Office had a vessel on scene to rescue the men and take them to shore. Lieutenant Kiss and Officer McDonald issued one boating citation and written warning to the operator of the vessel. Due to the minor amount of water damage, a self-report accident form was issued.

 

DUVAL COUNTY

 

Officer Schirbock was on land patrol when he saw a man fishing from the Fort George River Bridge. As he pulled his patrol truck up beside the individual, the man reached in a cooler, pulled out a spotted sea trout and slipped it between the rail and the walkway to dump it in the water. The man admitted that he had an undersized spotted sea trout and decided it was in his best interest to dispose of it. The man was cited for interference with a FWC officer and warned for failure to immediately return a saltwater fish to the water.

 

Officers Schirbock and Shearer were working a night-hunting complaint in the area of Jennings State Forest when they noticed headlights working the area just before midnight. They watched as the lights approached their concealed position and conducted a stop on three vehicles. There were several hound dogs running loose and the occupants of the vehicles admitted that they were on the property hunting hogs. Citations were issued for failure to have landowner written permission to hunt with dogs; the hunters were also educated on trespass laws.

 

NASSAU COUNTY

 

Officer Sweat worked a night-hunting complaint that appeared to be an ongoing issue on Motes Road in Nassau County. The complaint was issued by two different homeowners, one of whom had a deer shot right in his front yard. Officer Sweat positioned his patrol vehicle in a strategic area near Cary State Forest. Later, Officer Sweat was speaking with one of the complainants near his truck when a silver/grey Dodge Charger passed their location. The complainant identified the car to Officer Sweat who continued to watch the vehicle from his location until it turned around. As the vehicle approached, he could plainly see a light shining from the passenger side of the vehicle. The light was shinning in a manner capable of disclosing the presence of deer on the state forest side of Motes Road. Officer Sweat quickly made his way back to his patrol vehicle and conducted a stop on U.S. Highway 301. As Officer Sweat approached the vehicle, he could smell the odor of burnt cannabis coming from the vehicle. There were a total of five occupants inside the vehicle. As he approached the driver’s door he noticed that one of the occupants in the back seat of the vehicle had a rifle and another occupant had a flashlight. Officer Sweat was told by the driver that there was a shotgun which was located in the trunk. During this time, Officers Shearer and Hayes arrived on the scene to assist Officer Sweat. While retrieving the shotgun from the trunk, Officer Shearer found dried blood and several deer hairs along with a small bag of cannabis. Officer Sweat read all five occupants the Miranda warning and interviewed each of them. They all stated that they were attempting to hunt deer but then they admitted that they had been out the night before and shot a deer. Officer Sweat placed all of the occupants under arrest for attempting to take deer at night with a gun and light and placed an additional charge on the driver for possession of cannabis under 20 grams. All weapons, ammunition and cannabis were seized and placed into evidence while the vehicle was inventoried and towed to a body shop. All five arrested individuals were transported and booked into the Nassau County Jail.

 

TAYLOR COUNTY

 

Officer Wilcox was on routine patrol when he observed a vehicle parked in an area known for its wood duck holes. Officer Wilcox, from a concealed location, observed three men in chest waders in one of the nearby ponds. The hunters did not fire the first shot until 20 minutes after legal shooting hours ended. Within 15 minutes and 24 shots afterward, the hunters began to retrieve their ducks to exit the area. Officer Wilcox slipped out of his hideout and made contact with the three hunters. After a quick resource inspection, it was discovered that the three men had killed four wood ducks. Officer Bean, hearing the radio traffic, responded to assist. Appropriate citations were issued for taking waterfowls after legal shooting hours, along with various license violations.

 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

 

Officer Justus and Lieutenant Glover attended the annual “Shop with a Cop” at the Wal-Mart in Starke. There were approximately three hundred children who attended the event along with several other agencies. Each child was escorted by a law enforcement officer and given a dollar amount to spend on any toy of his or her choice.

 

 

NORTHEAST REGION

 

LAKE COUNTY

 

Officer Sweet was checking hunters in Richloam WMA.  He made contact with a hunter that had driven and was parked on a closed road. After speaking with and checking the status of the hunter, it was revealed that he was previously convicted of multiple felony charges. The subject was hunting with a shotgun and had multiple boxes of ammunition also in his possession; the firearm and ammunition were seized. The subject was arrested and booked in the local jail for possession of firearm by convicted felon.

 

Officers Weis and Weber were on early morning water patrol before daylight in a local small-game hunting area. They heard a couple of duck hunters attempt to take ducks well before legal shooting hours. It was also suspected that one of the hunters was using an unplugged shotgun. They made contact with the subjects and they were cited accordingly for shooting before legal shooting hours and for an unplugged shotgun. License violations were also documented and addressed.

 

Officer Straub received a call from a private landowner in reference to a trespass issue. Officers Kist and Beard responded. The landowner caught a subject trespassing and hunting on his posted land. Officer Beard arrested the subject and booked him into local county jail for trespass.   

 

 

SOUTHWEST REGION

 

HERNANDO COUNTY

Officers Balfour, Little, and K-9 Officer Wolff responded to a request for assistance from a private landowner. When Officer Balfour arrived, he observed a vehicle parked next to the fence line. A few moments later, an individual was observed running from inside the fence towards the vehicle. Contact was made with the individual and it was determined that he was scouting the area to return for hunting. The individual was arrested for trespass and transported to the Hernando County Jail.

 

Officer Beckman responded to Linda Pederson Park in regards to a complaint of an individual keeping undersized redfish. After arriving, he began conducting inspections of the fishermen in the area. One inspection revealed an individual in possession of undersized red drum (redfish) and undersized black drum. A warning and citation was issued for the violations.

 

PINELLAS COUNTY

 

Officers Enos and Patterson were patrolling the Pinellas County Ordinance for the striped mullet seasonal bag limit in the early morning hours.  The Officers observed five subjects harvest over their daily bag limit of five striped mullet per person while using cast nets. They seized 150 striped mullet and four cast nets from the subjects.  Additionally, one of the cast nets was determined to be 21 feet long. A cast net may not lawfully exceed 14 feet in length.  The five subjects were charged accordingly.

 

 

SOUTH REGION A

 

BROWARD COUNTY

 

Officer Warne was on patrol at the 15^th Street Boat Ramp in Ft. Lauderdale. A vessel had just pulled into the boat ramp. The occupants exited the vessel and backed their truck and trailer to the ramp. They exited and were preparing the vessel to be taken out of the water. Suddenly, the truck started rolling back toward the water and Officer Warne shouted for one individual to get out of its way. In moments, the trailer and truck were fully submerged in the water. The truck fell off the edge of the ramp and sank down eight feet. Lieutenant Laubenberger and Officer Vacin arrived to assist along with Ft. Lauderdale Police Department. Ft. Lauderdale Police assumed responsibility of the scene.

 

PALM BEACH COUNTY

 

Officers Nasworth and Toby responded to Canal Point locks regarding subjects cast netting game fish. Upon their arrival, Officers Nasworth and Toby made contact with a subject that matched the description of the cast netter. Officers Nasworth and Toby discovered the subject to be in possession of 49 black crappie and two blue gills in a recycle bin. Officer Nasworth discovered a cast net hidden at the front of the subject’s truck. When Officer Nasworth asked the subject how he caught the fish, he admitted to catching them with the cast net. Officer Nasworth placed the subject under arrest and booked him into the Palm Beach County Jail.

 

 

SOUTH REGION B

 

COLLIER COUNTY

 

Lieutenant Shea took eighteen Cadets from the Naples High School Army JROTC program to the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens to learn about native constricting snakes, invasive snake species and venomous snakes that occur in Florida.  The Zoo’s curator of ectotherms, Zach Marchetti, arranged for the cadets to attend a private snake encounter.  The snake encounter spotlighted the eastern diamondback, water moccasin and the dusky pygmy rattlesnake.  The class was to prepare the Cadets for a two-day trip into the Big Cypress Preserve where the Cadets will learn survival skills.  The cadets will need to be able to identify the animals they encounter on the hike for a written test.

 

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

 

Miami Dade Investigators arrested two individuals for BUI after lengthy investigations. In one case, the subject was operating a 36’ vessel when he struck an 80’ yacht in Biscayne Bay. He and his passenger were transported to Mercy Hospital with serious injuries. The operator’s alcohol level was .139. In another other case, the subject was operating a 20’ vessel with 7 passengers onboard when he struck several steel dredge pipes that were floating in the Haulover sand bar area. All except one person onboard sustained injuries. Three people, including the operator, were airlifted to Jackson Memorial Ryder Trauma Center Hospital. In this case the operator’s blood alcohol level was .083.

 

MONROE COUNTY

 

Several officers assigned to work in the Florida Keys assisted with the release of a rare Olive Ridley Turtle. The turtle was found stranded on a public beach in Lantana, Florida, last Christmas day suffering from an array of illnesses. After nearly one year of intense rehabilitation, the turtle was found to be in good enough health to be released. The officers assisted by transporting the caregivers and the turtle to an area approximately six nautical miles south of Key West. Once there, the turtle was released back to the ocean in about 200 feet of water.