FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Report 06/12 - 06/18/2015

 

FWC

Division of Law Enforcement

 

Weekly Report

 

June 12, 2015 thru June 18, 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

 

 

BAY COUNTY

 

At 0130 hours, Officer Gore observed a vessel being operated without navigational lights in St. Andrews Bay.  The vessel was inspected and found to have two occupants, nets onboard that were wet and some fish (Spanish mackerel, bluefish, etc.).  The occupants said they had been commercial fishing just off the beach and they said they had four nets onboard.  When asked if the nets were legal (not connected and legal size), they answered yes.  Officer Gore inspected the nets and found the first net to be unattached, but found it to measure 640 square feet, exceeding the legal 500 square feet size limit.  Further inspection found the final three nets were connected.  Officer Gore asked if they wished to measure the first net and they said yes, but halfway through measuring the net, they stopped.  All the nets were seized and the three connected nets were measured and found to be 2440 square feet.  The two were charged with transport/improper storage of illegal nets (over 500 square feet), possession of a net over 500 square feet and possession of a net over 2000 square feet.

 

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

 

Officer Land was on patrol in Santa Rosa Sound when he observed an individual fishing in a small vessel near Big Sabine. Officer Land approached the vessel to conduct a vessel safety check and marine fisheries inspection. He asked the fisherman if he had caught any fish. The fisherman replied by asking what the size limit was for speckled trout. He then raised a stringer from the side of his vessel to reveal three undersized spotted sea trout. Officer Land issued the fisherman a notice to appear for possession of undersized trout.

 

JACKSON COUNTY 

 

Officer Forehand was on water patrol on the Chipola River in the area of Peacock Bridge Landing, when he observed a vessel travel north past the boat landing and then immediately return to the boat landing.  As the subjects were returning to the landing, Officer Forehand initiated a vessel stop.  A resource inspection revealed the three subjects on board had illegally shocked 33 flathead catfish.  An electro‑shocking device, a wire lead, chain and a long handle dip net were located in the vessel and seized for evidence.  Appropriate citations were issued for the violations.

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY

 

Officers Corbin and Pifer conducted fisheries patrols on vessels returning from the Gulf of Mexico. During their patrols, Officers Corbin and Pifer issued citations to multiple subjects and vessels. The charges included undersized amberjack, possession of amberjack during closed season, and possession of gag grouper during closed season.

 

Officer Corbin received a complaint of two subjects spearing red drum in the Destin Harbor. The complainant stated that while backing his boat in his slip, he saw two subjects spearfishing and a red drum floating nearby.  Officer Corbin arrived at the scene and located the subjects spearfishing.  Officer Corbin interviewed the subjects and one of them admitted to spearing the red drum, who thought it was a mangrove snapper.  Officer Corbin issued the subject a notice to appear for spearing red drum.

 

During the early morning hours, Officer Pifer was conducting fisheries and license inspections at a local bridge when a check through dispatch determined that one of the individuals had an active warrant from the U.S. Marshall.  FHP Trooper Davis arrived as back up and the individual was arrested and booked into the Okaloosa County Jail without incident.

 

Officer Corbin conducted fisheries patrols on vessels returning from the Gulf of Mexico.  During his patrol, Officer Corbin issued citations to multiple subjects and vessels.  The charges included undersized amberjack, possession of amberjack during closed season, a charter vessel over their bag limit of red snapper, and a charter vessel with an expired charter license.

 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

 

CALHOUN COUNTY

 

Officer Baber, Lieutenant Clements, Biologists Sempsrott, Martin, Herrick, Shoultz and Public Information Coordinator Nelson participated in Calhoun County’s Super Heroes Summer Reading Program.  The officers and biologists met with over 150 children at five libraries in the Calhoun County area.  Some of the topics covered were summer water activities, wildlife behavior, and dealing with potentially dangerous wildlife.  A live alligator and snake display was also provided.  The event helped in further developing a positive FWC image in the Calhoun County Community.

 

 

NORTHEAST REGION

 

VOLUSIA COUNTY

 

Officers McDonough, West and Yetter were offshore Ponce Deleon Inlet in the 40 foot patrol vessel Osprey conducting Joint Enforcement Agreement (JEA) boarding’s.  A 17 foot recreational fishing vessel with 3 persons on board was reported to have capsized in the Ponce Deleon Inlet putting all persons in the water.  Within minutes, the Osprey was on scene and had all three passengers safely aboard.  Commercial tow service was called to salvage the capsized vessel and the passengers were brought ashore to the Coast Guard Station.  Officer West is investigating the cause of the capsizing.

 

United Sates Coast Guard Station Ponce, Volusia, Brevard and Seminole County Sheriff’s Deputies, Volusia Beach Patrol, and officers with the cities of New Smyrna Beach, Ponce Inlet, and Daytona Beach along with Fish and Wildlife all combined resources to provide public and boating safety to an annual event known as Aquapalooza on Disappearing Island.  Throughout the day and evening, over 150 vessels were inspected for required safety equipment and impaired operators resulting in 48 citations and 77 written warnings issued.  Six vessel operators were arrested for Boating Under the Influence (BUI).  Two adult males were arrested for disorderly conduct and another adult male was arrested for battery on a law enforcement officer.  Two adult males were arrested for possessing alcohol under the age of 21. One vessel accident with injuries was responded to and the investigation is ongoing.

 

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

 

Officer Platt responded to a call at the Fort Drum Wildlife Management Area in reference to a missing hiker.  Upon arrival he was informed that the Indian River Sheriff’s Office helicopter had located the missing individual.  Officer Platt, FWC K-9 Officer Miller, and an Indian River Sheriff’s Deputy walked to the individuals’ location.  The missing hiker was located and given a bottle of water. He did not need any medical attention.  

 

Officer Lightsey observed a vessel driving in a careless manner, passing other vessels in a Manatee Zone. Once the vessel came close to the boat ramp it turned back and speed away again in a careless manner passing other slow moving vessels and docks. Officer Lightsey watched the vessel pull into a local riverside restaurant. Officer Lightsey approached the man and observed signs of impairment. After conducting a safety inspection the operator was asked to conduct Standardized Field Sobriety Tasks. The vessel operator, who was under 21 advised he had only drank one beer. After conducting the tasks the man was placed under arrest for boating while normal faculties were impaired. At the Indian River County Jail the man provided a breath sample of .079. The man was then charged with operating a vessel while normal faculties impaired/under 21 with breath sample over .02 and for possession of alcohol by a person under 21. A citation was also issued for careless operation.

 

 

NORTH CENTRAL REGION

 

CITRUS COUNTY

 

While on water patrol, Officers Crane and Ulrich found and cited a subject for possession of gag grouper during closed season. In a separate incident, Officer Canfield found a subject in possession of bay scallops and one undersized spotted sea trout. He was cited for possession of bay scallops during closed season and issued a warning for the possession of undersized spotted sea trout.

 

COLUMBIA COUNTY

 

Officer McDonald was working off-duty security at VyStar Credit Union in Lake City and was in the break room shortly after the bank opened when he observed through the window, a vehicle driving into a parking space. He then observed a male light what appeared to be a marijuana cigarette, smoked it and handed it to the female passenger to smoke. Officer McDonald approached the vehicle and ordered the man out of the vehicle and secured him while the female was sitting in the vehicle. Officer McDonald located what appeared to be a synthetic marijuana cigarette and learned that the female was pregnant while using synthetic marijuana. Lake City Police Department officers arrived to take over the investigation. The man had $900 cash on him, a large bag of cocaine, synthetic marijuana, a loaded .357 caliber revolver and was driving on a license that was suspended or revoked. Lake City Police officers arrested both subjects on multiple drug and firearms charges in addition to the driving while license suspended or revoked (DWLSR) charge. Both subjects were transported to the Columbia County Jail for processing.

 

DUVAL COUNTY

 

Lieutenant Arkin was on water patrol along the Cedar River under the Blanding Boulevard Bridge in Jacksonville when he noticed several subjects at this location fishing and consuming alcoholic beverages. One of the subjects had an outstanding warrant in reference to a traffic offense from 2012. Lieutenant Arkin arrested the subject in compliance with the warrant and transported him to the Duval County Pre-Trial Detention Center.

 

Over the past several months the Jacksonville field office has received numerous complaints about a homeless transient living on an old dilapidated 26’ Sea Ray vessel on the Cedar River. The vessel is registered to this subject but it has no means of propulsion. There are barnacles growing on it, there are no navigational lights and it was listing. A records check revealed that the subject currently has two active warrants issued by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for trespassing and possession of drug paraphernalia. Lieutenant Arkin posted the vessel as an “At-Risk Vessel.” Lieutenant Arkin and Officer Schirbock waited for the subject to return to the vessel. When the subject returned in the evening Officer Schirbock placed the subject under arrest in compliance with the warrants.

 

Officer Sapp received a picture of a Facebook post showing two male and one female subjects cleaning an American Alligator. Through investigation, Officer Sapp was able to identify the three suspects involved and he determined that the alligator harvested was illegal. Officer Sapp and Investigator Holleman interviewed the three suspects and got written statements that implicated them all for illegal take and possession of an American Alligator. The head and feet of the alligator were found in the freezer of the home where two of the suspects lived. Officer Sapp met with an Assistant Duval County State Attorney, and arrest warrants were issued for all three subjects. Several area officers helped with the early morning arrest of all three suspects for unlawful possession and transportation of an American Alligator. The suspects were all booked into The Duval County Pre-Trial Detention Center without incident.

 

LEVY COUNTY

 

Lieutenant Umhoefer was working night hunting near Devil’s Hammock Wildlife Management Area (WMA) when at around midnight, a vehicle slowed to a stop near his hidden location. He observed the occupants shoot a doe deer, clean and load it into the vehicle. Lieutenant Umhoefer announced himself and one of the occupants fled on foot into the woods but the driver stayed with the car. The driver stated that he was sorry when he was issued a criminal citation for possession of a freshly killed doe deer out of season. The investigation is ongoing regarding the subject who fled on foot.

 

Officer Schulz was on land patrol in Levy County when he came across a vehicle that was having trouble maintaining the lane.  He followed the vehicle for a few miles and observed other traffic violations including littering, so he initiated a traffic stop.  When he approached, he observed that there were two subjects sitting in the vehicle.  During the stop Officer Schulz observed numerous indicators of impairment and he asked the driver to complete several standardized field sobriety tasks.  After the subject completed these tasks the driver was placed under arrest for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence.  Officer Schulz also found the passenger of the vehicle to be in violation of probation.  The driver was booked into the Levy County Jail for DUI, the passenger was issued a citation for littering and the passenger’s probation officer was notified about the violations.

 

 

SOUTHWEST REGION

 

LEE COUNTY

 

Lieutenant Andriano was notified by Lovers Key Assistant Park Manager, Matt Kruse that a small vessel was taking on water along middle beach off Lovers Key. Lieutenant Andriano and Officer Spoede responded by all-terrain vehicle and once on-scene observed a small 15’ skiff at the shoreline with two people standing near their swamped boat. Officer Spoede went into the water to try and prevent any further swamping of the vessel but attempts were unsuccessful due to the strong winds and waves. The owner advised he was looking for bait fish along the shoreline and was quickly overtaken by the waves and both subjects went into the water. Fortunately, they were very close to the beach and were able to get the boat and themselves to shore safely. Officer Greg Bryson responded to assist the owner later in the evening to make arrangements to have the vessel removed from the state park. 

 

Officer Spoede was patrolling out in the Gulf of Mexico, off of Fort Myers Beach when he observed a rental boat with approximately 15 people on board. Officer Spoede followed the rental boat back to the local rental company to speak with the manager. Officer Spoede determined through interviews that the rental boat did not have the proper safety equipment that is required by law. The rental boat company employee was issued a misdemeanor citation and court date for renting a vessel without the proper safety equipment and a warning for exceeding the loading limits for a rental boat.

 

Officer Stanley responded to a vessel that sank with eight people on board in Lee County. There were minor injuries to two people on-board. After a thorough investigation was completed, the livery operator was issued a misdemeanor citation and court date for failing to transfer the title/registration and issued a warning for renting a vessel to the public that was not in seaworthy condition.

 

Officer Furbay was patrolling a remote location late at night when he came across three people fishing and using a spotlight.  There were many alligators in the area and it seemed a little suspicious, but he did not have any violations at the time.  When he ran their vehicle tag, it came back stolen out of Colorado.  A warrants check on the men revealed that one of them was wanted out of Lee County.  The man was arrested without incident.  The vehicle tag was later determined not to be stolen, but was an identical plate number from Florida and not out of Colorado.

 

MANATEE COUNTY

 

Officer Martinez was on land patrol in the area of the Palma Sola Causeway. While on patrol, he performed an inspection on a man who had been cast netting for fish off the causeway.  During the course of his inspection he found that the subject had cast netted a 14” snook.  The subject was written several criminal citations as well as warnings for the undersized, out of season and illegally harvested snook.

 

PINELLAS COUNTY

 

Lieutenant Hinds IV was on land patrol around Gandy Boulevard.  While on patrol, he performed a fisheries inspection on a man that had been cast netting for fish on the North side of the Gandy Causeway.  During the course of the inspection Lieutenant Hinds found that the man had caught and kept one 14’’ snook.  The subject was given two criminal citations for possession of snook out of season and snook taken by illegal method.  The subject was also given several other fisheries warnings.

  

Several months ago Officer Smith was the lead officer on commercial fisheries case while on offshore patrol.  The case was reference to inference with an FWC Officer and using reef fish as bait (reef fish not in whole condition).  The court adjudicated both of the subjects guilty, and both of the commercial fishermen were sentenced to 30 hours of community service, they were put on 6 months of probation, and they were both fined $1000.00.  

 

 

SOUTH REGION A

 

GLADES COUNTY

 

Officer Teal was on land patrol in Glades County near Fisheating Creek when he saw a truck driving without the lights on and stopping in the road. This is an area where a lot of wildlife stands. He performed a stop on the vehicle. There were dogs and a live hog in a box in the bed of the truck.  After being read Miranda, the subjects stated that they had just caught the hog from the side of the road. The Officer obtained sworn written statements from the men and issued each of them a notice to appear in Glades County Court for hunting from a county road and a warning to the driver for operating without headlights on at night.

 

HENDRY COUNTY

 

A man charged with knowingly and unlawfully taking an endangered Everglade Snail Kite plead guilty in Federal Court this week. He was charged back in November of 2013. The court ordered the forfeiture of his Mossberg Shotgun and fine of $1,025.00,

 

 

SOUTH REGION B

 

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

An officer and a lieutenant were on water patrol at Caesar Creek when they encountered a suspicious vessel with two male subjects on board, idling along the mangroves.  The officers stopped the vessel to conduct fisheries and safety equipment inspections.  They observed one subject dripping wet, snorkeling gear on the deck of the boat, and a homemade, handheld spear that could be used to illegally harvest lobster.  However, inspection of the vessel revealed no illegal saltwater products.  The vessel operator was cited for two boating violations and released.  Not satisfied however, the officers motored over to where they had seen the vessel idling along the mangroves and conducted a search of the immediate area.  The officers recovered a mesh dive bag from the shallow bay bottom, containing sixteen freshly harvested wrung lobster tails, eleven of which were undersized and one that was punctured.  The officers are now working with the state attorney office to determine if charges can be filed against the two subjects. 

​An officer and a lieutenant were on water patrol near Rubicon Key when they observed two subjects in a vessel that was tied to the mangroves.  Both subjects were fishing so the officers conducted a fisheries inspection.  The subjects' cooler contained assorted snappers, one of which was undersized.  However, further inspection revealed a freshly harvested, undersized nurse shark that was hidden underneath a board in the vessel's bilge area.  A citation was issued to the owner/operator of the vessel for the shark violation. 

Miami-Dade Officers were on water patrol in the southern part of Miami-Dade near Caesars Creek when they saw a vessel idle over a coral patch. When the officers approached they saw two subjects in the water holding spear guns but no dive flag was being displayed. The officers conducted a boating safety inspection that revealed no Type 4 throwable device. A fisheries check revealed one speared hogfish of legal size and 12 empty beer cans in a cooler. None of the subjects were 21 years of age or older and they admitted to drinking the beer in the cooler. As a result, the subjects were cited with possession of alcohol by a person under 21 years of age. The captain of the vessel was also cited for not having a throwable device on board.

MONROE COUNTY

Officer Hein was on state land patrol in the Islamorada area when a concerned citizen approached and explained that there was a man at a nearby public beach exposing his genitals to beach goers including kids. Officer Hein gathered information about the individual and quickly responded to the location. Once on scene, Officer Hein saw a naked man behind a vehicle near the woods. Officer Hein approached the man and began to investigate the incident. The man was non-compliant and fled on foot. Officer Hein quickly subdued the individual who was clearly intoxicated. Officer Hein began to question the subject who refused to give his name. Upon further investigation, it was determined the man exposed himself purposely to a total of 4 adults, 1 minor under 18, and 2 minors under 9 years of age. He was charged with 7 counts of Exposing sexual organs,3 counts of loitering and prowling, 2 counts of lewd and lascivious exhibition in presence of minors, resisting arrest, disorderly intoxication and giving false name. The man is also a registered sex offender.

Officer Foell was on land patrol in the lower Keys when he was informed by two credible witnesses that an individual had intentionally killed a Key deer with a pellet gun at a residence on Big Pine Key. Officer Foell obtained sworn written statements from the two witnesses. Both witnesses stated that the man had shot a Key Deer with a pellet gun the day prior. They also stated he hid the Key deer in the mangroves on a walking path on the Northeast corner of a house, just outside of the subject’s property. One of the individuals hand sketched a map of where the Key Deer had been placed after it was killed. Officer Foell, along with Investigator Cox, Lieutenants Robison, Cabanas and Officers Bulger, Garrison and Boyd, went to the residence. Lieutenant Robison and Officer Bulger went to the Northeast corner, outside of the property, where the deer was reportedly placed after it was killed. They located a dead Key Deer with what appeared to be a similar diameter hole as a pellet gun would inflict, in the same location as reported. Officers went to the residence and placed the man in custody for killing the Key Deer. The man admitted to shooting a Key Deer in his yard the day prior because it was getting in his garden. He further stated he shot the deer with a pellet gun. The Man was arrested and booked into the Monroe County Detention Center on Stock Island, for killing a Key Deer, which is a species designated as endangered.

Officer Hein was on land patrol in the Grassy Key area when he saw several individuals fishing from the bridge. Officer Hein approached the fishermen who immediately stated that they had not caught any fish, however during the resource inspection Officer Hein located several undersized mangrove snapper that belonged to one of the fishermen. The subject was ultimately charged with being in possession of undersized mangrove snapper.

Officer Hein was on land patrol in Islamorada when he saw a man fishing. He approached the fisherman and conducted a resource inspection. During the encounter the subject repeatedly stated that he had “no fish”. This proved to be less than truthful as Officer Hein discovered the man to be in possession of spiny lobster which were undersized and appeared to have been speared. The subject was also found to be in possession of undersized school master snapper, undersized mutton snapper and undersized mangrove snapper. The subject was arrested and transported to jail.

Officer Foell and Bulger were on water patrol in Key West Harbor when they saw a vessel that was not displaying registration numbers. The vessel was on plane heading northwest in the harbor. The officers stopped the vessel and began to conduct a safety inspection. It wasn’t long before the officers detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the operator’s breath. The operator refused to cooperate with the officers and was subsequently arrested for boating under the influence.