FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Report September 16 through September 22, 2016

 

FWC

Division of Law Enforcement

 

 Weekly Report

September 16 through September 22, 2016

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

 

CASES

 

BAY COUNTY

 

Officer Waring received a complaint that someone was harvesting stone crabs near the Grand Lagoon Bridge. Upon arrival, he located the subject in a kayak and found seven stone crabs inside a compartment on the kayak during an inspection. The subject was issued a citation for possession of whole stone crabs. The crabs were photographed and returned to the bay unharmed.

 

Officer Basford was on water patrol when he conducted a resource inspection of a vessel returning from offshore. During the inspection, Officer Basford found the operator in possession of three whole red snapper, a bag containing red snapper fillets, and an undersized greater amberjack. Officer Basford issued the vessel captain citations for over the bag limit of red snapper and red snapper not landed in whole condition. The captain was issued warnings for the undersized greater amberjack and possession of greater amberjack during closed season.

 

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

 

Officers Cushing, Manning and Trueblood were patrolling the waters of the Gulf of Mexico aboard the FINCAT with assistance from Officer Tolbert and his Aviation Unit. One of the vessels that Officers Manning and Trueblood inspected in federal waters was in possession of 16 red snapper. Red snapper is currently closed for harvest in federal waters. The operator of the vessel stated that he thought state waters were closed and federal waters were open. Officer Trueblood issued a citation to the operator for the violation.

Lieutenant Hahr was patrolling the Perdido River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) when he observed a vehicle parked at a closed gate late at night. The area is closed at night. When he spoke to the couple in the vehicle, the woman’s suspicious actions prompted a closer look. After a glance into the woman’s purse, paraphernalia used for drug use was observed. Heroin and prescription pills were located in the purse along with a needle and crushed pills mixed with water. The woman admitted to shooting up the day before and was arrested for possession of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY

 

Officer Corbin was on land patrol conducting state fisheries and license inspections near the Marler Bridge. He observed an individual actively fishing with a rod and reel. The fisheries inspection revealed the individual was in possession of an undersized red drum. The individual was cited and issued a notice to appear citation.

 

Officers Pifer and Corbin were on vessel patrol conducting state fisheries and license enforcement in the Destin Harbor and observed an inshore charter boat return from a fishing trip. The officers waited until the charter boat tied up to the vessel’s wet slip. The fisheries inspection revealed two undersized red snapper on board. The operator was cited and issued a notice to appear citation.

 

Officers Pifer and Corbin were on vessel patrol in the area of the Destin Pass when they observed a rental PWC violating the idle speed zone and the operator was not wearing a personal floatation device (PFD). During the subsequent stop, Officer Pifer observed signs of impairment and the operator agreed to perform field sobriety tasks. Based on the operator’s performance, he was placed under arrest for BUI. At the U. S. Coast Guard (USCG) Station Destin, the operator was given the opportunity to provide a breath sample, which he refused. The operator was cited for operating a vessel while normal faculties impaired, refusal to submit a breath sample, violation of the idle speed zone and operating a PWC without wearing a PFD.

 

DIRECTED CONSERVATION PATROLS

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY

 

From May 27-September 5, Officers Bartlett, Clark, Hutchinson and Molnar were involved in Operation Plan “Boat Sober.” The officers worked night shift targeting primarily BUI on state waters and DUI in state parks and WMAs in Walton, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Escambia counties. The intent of this operation was to make areas safer for people enjoying Florida’s natural resources. Throughout their proactive patrols, a total of 12 felonies, 78 misdemeanors, 56 infractions and 7 warnings were documented. The officers performed field sobriety tasks on 60 subjects, resulting in 22 arrests for BUI and 7 arrests for DUI. Some of the other 49 misdemeanors consisted of a minor in possession of alcohol, providing alcohol to a minor, possession of cannabis less than 20 grams, damage to public lands by motor vehicle and knowingly driving while license suspended. The felony charges consisted of narcotic possession, weapons violations and fleeing and eluding.

 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

 

WASHINGTON COUNTY

 

Lieutenant Walsingham assisted the Hunter Safety Program with the range day at Vernon High School. Approximately 35 students participated in the hands-on event.

 

 

NORTH CENTRAL REGION

 

RESCUES

 

NASSAU COUNTY

 

FWC Dispatch received a call from the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office requesting assistance for a possible boating accident. It was reported that an elderly male subject fell overboard from his vessel. The operator was trying to land his vessel, gave it too much gas and was ejected. He held onto his vessel as long as he could, then attempted to swim ashore. He was unsuccessful and was picked-up by a “Good Samaritan.” The “Good Samaritan” was able to pull him to shore and secure his vessel. Lieutenant Wright and Officer Stuhr responded to the scene. CPR was performed on the victim and he was transported to Nassau County Baptist Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Investigator Izsak is leading this investigation.

 

 

NORTHEAST REGION

 

CASES

 

BREVARD COUNTY

 

Officers Balgo and Kearney received information through the Wildlife Alert Program about a man fishing at Jetty Park who was in possession of an oversized snook. The officers arrived at the jetty, found the man who fit the description and conducted a resource inspection. The man was in possession of one oversized snook 34.25 inches in total length, well over the slot limit of 28-32 inches. A citation was issued for the violation.

 

While on patrol in Sebastian Inlet State Park, Lieutenant Lightsey observed two men loading up from fishing in a secluded area. During a resource inspection, he found them to be in possession of three oversized snook and over the bag limit of snook. The snook found in their possession were each 34 to 35 inches in total length, well over the slot limit of 28-32 inches. Citations were issued for over the bag limit of snook, oversized snook, no fishing license and no snook stamp.

 

Officer Balgo was on land patrol when he saw three individuals cast netting alongside the SR 528 causeway and the Banana River. A fisheries inspection revealed that two of the individuals did not have fishing licenses and were in possession of two undersized sheepshead and two undersized black drum. Officer Bohne assisted in counting the 162 mullet in their cooler, which was 12 over the bag limit for the three fishermen. One of the men admitted to catching the fish in excess of the bag limit. He was issued citations for undersized black drum, undersized sheepshead, and over the bag limit of mullet. The unlicensed fishermen received citations for not having valid fishing licenses.

 

While observing fishermen from a concealed location at Ulamay Sanctuary on Merritt Island, Officer Balgo watched an individual catch a red fish. A short time later, the same individual caught another red fish. The fisherman failed to measure either fish before heading to his vehicle with them. Officer Balgo called Officer R. Miller who was concealed a short distance away. Officer Miller issued the fisherman a citation for oversized red fish and for over the bag limit of red fish.

 

Lieutenant Davis was on patrol at Kiwanis Island Park in Merritt Island when he saw a fisherman carrying a stringer of fish to the car. He conducted a resource inspection and found the individual to be in possession of two red fish and an undersized spotted seatrout. A citation was issued for over the bag limit of red fish as well as a warning for the undersized seatrout.

 

Officer Balgo was working Freddie Patrick Boat Ramp one evening when a vessel pulled up to the docks. During the subsequent resource inspection, the subject stated that the snook he caught might be a little short. Officer Balgo measured the snook on board and found it to be 26.5 inches, well below the legal size of 28 inches. A citation was issued for the size-limit violation.

 

Officer Balgo watched another vessel come ashore. When approached, the two fishermen on board admitted to catching and keeping two red fish each. A fisheries inspection found the two fishermen to be in possession of four red fish, twice their legal limit. One of the red fish was also slightly oversized. Each fisherman was issued a citation for over the daily bag limit of red fish.

 

Lieutenant Zamonis and Officer Platt worked TM Goodwin and Broadmoor Units of the TM Goodwin Small Game Hunting Area during the opening day of early Teal and Wood Duck season. They checked approximately 45 duck hunters throughout the morning. They issued four citations for hunting migratory birds with a shotgun capable of holding more than three rounds, no Federal Duck Stamp, and several various license warnings.

 

Officer Mendelson conducted resource inspections at Leroy Wright Boat Ramp for the opening of early Teal and Wood Duck season and the opening of archery season. One archery hunter returned to the boat ramp with a buck with antlers measuring over 5 inches and under 10 inches. The hunter was issued a citation for the antler restriction violation.

 

LAKE COUNTY

 

Officer Phillips was patrolling boat ramps in South Lake County when he observed an empty trailer on Highway 19 in Groveland. An airboat eventually returned to the location around 3:00 AM. Upon inspection, Officer Phillips discovered that the individuals on the boat had harvested an alligator and had failed to securely latch the CITES tag in the tail. (CITES stands for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.) It had just been pushed through the tail and was open. The permit holder was issued a notice to appear for the violation.

 

MARION COUNTY

 

While on patrol in the Ross Prairie State Forest during September 5-10, Officer Dias observed where a motor vehicle had been illegally entering into the state forest by running over the fence. The vehicle was distinct because it had different tread patterns on all tires. Every day, Officer Dias would track this vehicle throughout Ross Prairie State Forest, but could never find the vehicle inside. The vehicle would drive through the woods, not roads, running over small trees, palmettos and other flora for miles. The vehicle would enter and exit in different locations each time it came in. The occupants would brush the vehicle’s tire tracks out where they drove the vehicle into the woods so it would be more difficult to track. On September 10 around 1:00 PM, Officer Dias observed where a vehicle matching the suspect tire sign had entered Ross Prairie State Forest and had driven on top of Officer Dias’ tire tracks from the previous day. After approximately an hour of tracking, Officer Dias located a green Ford pickup truck attempting to exit the state forest. The vehicle had four males riding in the truck. Officer Dias initiated a traffic stop at the southeast corner of the state forest to address the illegal entry violation. When Officer Dias approached the vehicle, he observed the truck bed was full of palmetto berries. The bed of the truck contained approximately 500 pounds of saw palmetto berries. Officer Dias charged the three adults for possessing saw palmetto berries on a WMA without a permit.

 

PUTNAM COUNTY

 

Officer Simpson was conducting a fisheries inspection at the Palatka City Docks when he found that the subject he was checking had an active warrant for fraud. The subject was arrested and transported to the Putnam County Jail for the warrant.

 

Officer Guirate was on patrol in Etoniah State Forest when he discovered two sets of individuals unlawfully harvesting palmetto berries. Four subjects were charged with unlawfully harvesting palmetto berries in a state forest.

 

Lieutenant Dickson received a call for assistance from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office in reference to a subject with an active warrant for child support. The subject had fled from sheriff’s deputies on several occasions and they asked if FWC could make an attempt to apprehend him. Lieutenant Dickson and Officer Taylor responded and arrested the subject without incident. The subject was transported to the Putnam County Jail for the warrant.

 

Officer Simpson was on patrol in Etoniah State Forest when he discovered several individuals unlawfully harvesting palmetto berries. Six subjects were charged with unlawfully harvesting palmetto berries in a state forest.

 

VOLUSIA COUNTY

 

Officer West stopped an adult fisherman leaving the jetty at Ponce Inlet and inspected his catch. The man was subsequently issued a citation for possession of oversized red drum.

 

Officer Bertolami checked a vessel returning from fishing in the late evening hours at a remote ramp near the Tomoka River. After the inspection, two adult males were issued the criminal citation for both being in possession of snook under the slot-size limit.

 

Officers Sapp and North went to a known tree stand baited with corn on the opening morning of archery season in Lake George WMA just after daylight. One man was apprehended hunting from the tree stand with a bow and arrow, within ten yards of the corn on the ground. The officers learned that the man had a hunting buddy in the area. Officer North deployed his K-9 partner Max and tracked to the second subject who was also found hunting over corn nearby. The second hunter watched from his tree stand as Max took Officer North through the woods and directly to the base of his tree. He looked down at them and said “That’s impressive!” Both men were issued notices to appear in court for hunting over bait in a WMA and written warnings for driving spikes into trees on a WMA.

 

While checking hunters leaving Lake George WMA, Officer North encountered a man driving out dressed in full camouflage and in possession of a compound bow. The man admitted to deer hunting. A computer check showed his driver license had been suspended in July 2016 for financial obligations. It also showed that his hunting and fishing privileges had been revoked in July 2016 for failure to pay child support. The man was issued a notice to appear for hunting while license revoked. He was also cited for driving on a suspended license and issued a written warning for expired tag.

 

Lieutenant Baer checked a known baited stand on the second evening of archery season in Lake George WMA, and located a hunter with a loaded crossbow sitting in the stand within ten yards of corn kernels on the ground. The hunter said he had found the area baited earlier in the month, but he returned and did not see any corn so he thought it would be okay to hunt there. Lieutenant Baer advised the man that the area was being monitored and his story did not add up. He then admitted to putting the corn out. The man was issued a notice to appear for hunting over bait in a WMA.

 

Officer Wingard was checking the local fishing piers along the ocean and found an adult male in possession of red drum over the slot-size limit. He was issued a notice to appear citation for the violation.

 

RESCUES

 

BREVARD COUNTY

 

Melbourne Police Department and Fire Rescue received a 911 call of a man bleeding underneath the US 1 bridge at Crane Creek. He reported that he was bitten by a large alligator while swimming in the creek. Numerous area FWC officers and supervisors responded by land and water to the scene. The victim was transported to the hospital with numerous lacerations to his hand, arm, shoulder, and back, along with a broken arm. Two large alligators were captured in the immediate area of a similar size to the alligator suspected in the incident. The FWC Investigations Section is handling the ongoing bite investigation. The victim underwent surgery and is currently in stable condition.

 

PUTNAM COUNTY

 

Lieutenants Dickson, Baer and Officer Taylor responded to a report of a USCG light aircraft that crashed in the St. John’s River. Upon arrival, the aircraft was found damaged and partially submerged but the pilot sustained only minor injuries.

 

 

SOUTHWEST REGION

 

CASES

 

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

 

Officer Phillippi was on land patrol in the area of Fish Eating Creek. While on patrol, he stopped and performed a fisheries inspection on an individual cast netting inside the park. During a resource inspection, he found that the subject was in possession of one undersized snook measuring 13.5 inches. The subject was cited for possession of undersized snook, and given three written warnings for other fisheries violations.  

 

While Officer Baker was on land patrol on the Courtney Campbell Causeway, he stopped and performed a fisheries inspection on a subject fishing from the causeway. During the inspection, Officer Baker found that the subject had caught and kept two undersized red drum sized 11 and 13 inches. The man was given a citation for possession of undersized red drum, and written warnings for over the bag limit of red drum and undersized mangrove snapper.

 

LEE COUNTY

 

Officers Price and Perry were on patrol when they received information about someone keeping snook and using them for bait. They arrived at the location and observed a snook on a stringer. One of the men began cutting up the snook, and using it as bait on a heavy pole in an attempt to catch a shark. When the officers identified themselves, one of the men admitted to catching the snook. The snook was measured and found to be 25 inches. He was charged with possession of undersized snook.

 

Officer Fogle observed two male subjects fishing while trespassing on a commercial construction site in Cape Coral. During his encounter with the subjects, a wants/warrants check revealed that both subjects had active arrest warrants on file. One subject’s warrant was issued in Michigan for non-extraditable charges. The other subject was wanted out of Sarasota County on drug-related charges. Shortly after receiving the warrant confirmation from dispatch, Officers Perry and Bell arrived on scene to assist. The subject wanted out of Michigan was released, while the other subject was placed under arrest and transported to the Lee County Jail. Both subjects received warnings for trespassing and fishing without a saltwater fishing license.

 

MANATEE COUNTY

 

Lieutenant Hinds was on land patrol in the area of the South Skyway Rest Area, when he noticed a group of spear fishermen returning to their vehicle. After performing a fisheries inspection, he found that one of the men had speared two snook. One of the snook was oversized measuring 37 inches, and the other snook was undersized measuring 26 inches. The subject was charged with four violations and will have to appear in court.

 

While Officer Hinds was on land patrol in the area of the Palma Sola Causeway, he stopped and performed a fisheries inspection on two individuals fishing in Perico Bayou. During the inspection, he found that one of the individuals was in possession of a 25-inch snook. Officer Hinds cited the individual for possession of undersized snook, and the subject will have to appear in court.

 

While Officers Martinez and Berg were on water patrol in the area of S.R. 64 Bridge leading to Anna Maria Island, they stopped and performed a fisheries inspection on a vessel fishing around the bridge. During the inspection, they found that the captain of the vessel had kept numerous undersized mangrove snapper, and one undersized spotted sea trout. The captain of the vessel was cited for possession of undersized mangrove snapper and given a written warning for possession of undersized spotted sea trout.

 

PASCO COUNTY

 

While Officers Balfour, Little and Henry were on land patrol in a portion of the Richloam WMA known as the “High Bluffs,” Officer Balfour conducted a stop of a vehicle that was in the area after dark. An inspection revealed numerous violations by the persons in the vehicle. At the end of the investigation, the officers arrested the individuals for the following violations: possession of firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Also, several citations were issued for driving on a suspended license, open container of alcohol in the vehicle, possession of alcohol in a prohibited area, and remaining in a day-use area after hours. The individuals were booked into the Pasco County Jail, and the evidence was transported to an FWC storage facility.

 

PINELLAS COUNTY

 

While on land patrol near the North Skyway Fishing Pier, Officer Bibeau located a pile of approximately 40 used vehicle tires that had been illegally dumped in the mangroves. While investigating the scene, a cell phone was located near the tires. After a short investigation, the owner of the cell phone was identified and met with to conduct an interview. During the interview, the suspect admitted to dumping the tires illegally a few days earlier, and gave the name of his accomplice. Officer Bibeau was able to track down the second subject, and conduct an interview that also ended with the suspect admitting to the illegal dumping of the used tires. Both individuals were cited for the dumping of the tires, and the suspects cleaned up and properly disposed of the used tires.

 

Lieutenants Wells and Lee, Pilot Fields, and Officers Smith, Burks, Freemon, McDonough, and Bohne worked an offshore detail with the FWC offshore patrol vessel Seahawk, an FWC twin-engine aircraft, and an FWC unmarked vessel. The officers were patrolling 10-40 miles west of Pinellas County. Numerous vessel inspections were conducted. The officers encountered two separate vessels using reef fish as bait. Other violations on three different vessels include possession of undersized red grouper, possession of undersized gag grouper; possession of American red snapper during the closed federal season; and possession of two, large zip lock bags full of filleted reef fish. Among numerous boating safety warnings and resource warnings, the officers issued 4 state resource citations, and 2 federal citations.

 

While on land patrol at Fort Desoto, Officer Bibeau made contact with two individuals in kayaks that were returning to shore. The individuals were asked if they had caught any fish, and they told the officer that they had caught some trout. During a resource inspection, 15 trout were found between the two individuals. The trout had been partially cleaned and de-headed. Officer Bibeau wrote the individuals citations for failing to land the trout in whole condition and over their daily bag limit of trout.

 

POLK COUNTY

 

Officers Creel and Alvis conducted a hunting inspection on individuals that were gator hunting in an airboat out on Lake Kissimmee. The airboat was seen traveling after dark without navigation lights. Upon inspection, Officers Alvis and Creel found that one hunter had tags but for a different area. The subject was hunting with a partner in another boat that had tags for the area. Officer Creel issued the appropriate citations.

 

DIRECTED CONSERVATION PATROLS

 

LEE COUNTY

 

Over a two-night period, Officer Wilkenson conducted a targeted enforcement of the Daniels Parkway Panther Zone. Contact was made with 35 people, 10 citations and 9 warnings were issued for violations of speed, illegal tint, and licensing violations. The highest speed recorded was 88 MPH in a 45 MPH zone.

 

Officers Collazo and Wilkenson targeted the Daniels Parkway Panther Zone. Contact was made with 30 individuals; 10 warnings and 8 citations were issued for unlawful speed, illegal tint and Florida’s “Move Over” Law.

 

Officers Collazo and Wilkenson targeted the Corkscrew Road Panther Zone. Contact was made with 45 individuals; 14 citations and 22 warnings were issued for unlawful speed, tag violations, license violations, and Florida’s “Move Over” Law. The highest recorded speed was 97 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone.

 

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

 

LEE COUNTY

 

Officers Mitchell, Sehl and Salem performed hunter education presentations. The officers presented the legal portion of the hunter education course, to large groups of people who want to take advantage of hunting opportunities in Florida. The presentation allows the public to meet a FWC officer and to ask questions they may have.

 

 

SOUTH A REGION

 

CASES

 

BROWARD COUNTY

 

Officer Seldomridge was dispatched to a call in reference to an individual with undersized snook. Officers Defeo and Seldomridge arrived at South Fork canoe launch and observed two subjects fishing. They conducted a fisheries inspection on the two subjects, and didn’t see any snook in their bucket. The two subjects said that was all the fish they had. Officer Seldomridge asked the owner of the vehicle if he could check the trunk for more fish. The owner told him that he could check it. Officer Seldomridge found an undersized snook inside a plastic bag in the trunk. The subject was issued a citation for possession of undersized snook.

 

HENDRY COUNTY

 

Officer Toby responded to a request for assistance from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. An individual had been stopped for a traffic violation and in the bed of the truck was the head of a freshly killed deer. The Palm Beach County deputy also identified multiple firearms in the vehicle with spent ammunition. Once on scene, Officer Toby conducted an investigation for a possible poaching violation and interviewed the individual. After being read his Miranda Rights, the individual stated that he had killed the deer with a crossbow in Hendry County earlier in the evening; however, he did not have the crossbow with him at this time. The individual then stated he sold the rest of the deer to an individual on the side of the road in Hendry County prior to leaving the county and could not provide the torso of the deer to verify his claims. Officer Toby concluded his on-scene investigation and the individual was allowed to leave. Officer Toby worked with the Hendry County State Attorney’s Office and direct filed one misdemeanor charge pertaining to the illegal sale of deer.

 

PALM BEACH COUNTY

 

Officer Toby observed an individual fishing on Lake Okeechobee at the Pahokee Marina and conducted a fisheries inspection. The individual was in possession of three undersized black crappie and their fishing license was revoked by court order. The individual was issued two citations for possession of the three undersized black crappie and fishing while having a revoked fishing license.

 

ST. LUCIE COUNTY

 

Officer Carroll responded to a call regarding a vessel pulling a net in the north fork of the St. Lucie River. Officer Carroll observed the individual fishing a seine net from a vessel and after approach, observed a large net on board the vessel. The net was pulled aboard the patrol vessel and transported to shore, where Officer’s Carroll, Aswall, Moss, Norbrothen, Morrow, Rogers, and Lieutenant Morrison, investigated the situation and conducted a rough estimate of the square footage of the net. Officer Carroll seized the net and submitted it into evidence at the FWC’s Jupiter Compound. The net was later measured by Investigator Patterson, K-9 Officer Payne, Officer’s Fretwell, Aswall, Rogers, Carroll, Lieutenant Fillip and Captain Schaeffer. The total square footage of the net was found to be 666 square feet. Charges were filed through the St Lucie County State Attorney’s Office. The charges consisted of fishing with a net with a mesh size greater than 500 square feet, improperly marking a seine net, and carriage of a net with greater than 500 square feet on a vessel less than 22 feet in length.

 

While on offshore fisheries patrol, Officer Aswall stopped an incoming fishing vessel off of the St Lucie Inlet to conduct a fisheries inspection. She found two undersized dolphin. The owner and operator were issued citations.

 

Officer Aswall stopped a vessel returning from the Bahamas to conduct a fisheries inspection. Snapper fillets on board the vessel did not have the skin intact. She educated the subjects on the new Florida law which requires anglers to keep the skin intact on snapper fillets when returning from the Bahamas. The operator was issued a warning.

 

DIRECTED CONSERVATION PATROLS

 

PALM BEACH COUNTY

 

Officer Hankinson and Reserve Officer Story patrolled coastal waters to enforce diving regulations and promote diving safety. Several divers were checked and educated accordingly when not in compliance.

 

 

SOUTH B REGION

 

CASES

 

COLLIER COUNTY

 

While on water patrol in Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Officer Lugg observed a vessel with an individual traveling on plane in a posted slow speed zone. Officer Lugg approached the vessel and stopped it for the violation. During the stop, Officer Lugg observed mullet scattered throughout the vessel along with sheepshead, mojarra, and a large cast net. After ensuring that the 11 sheepshead were of legal size, Officer Lugg moved the vessels to the Shell Island Road canoe launch where he counted the mullet and found that the individual was over the bag limit by 28 mullet. Officers Arbogast and Kleis arrived on the scene to assist and all violations were cited accordingly.

 

Officer Barringer was on patrol in Naples when he observed two subjects walking back from fishing on the north side of Doctors Pass rock jetty. Officer Barringer made contact with the subjects to conduct a fisheries inspection. Both subjects were carrying fishing poles, bait bucket, cast net, and bags. Officer Barringer asked the subjects how they did fishing and the subjects told him that they had caught nothing but small fish. Officer Barringer asked if he could check their fishing licenses and their catch, and they consented. The check on one of the subjects came back as having an active warrant from the United States Marshals Service out of Fort Myers for possession of cocaine. The subject was arrested and taken to the Collier County Jail.

 

MONROE COUNTY

 

Officer Baumgartner arrested a man for annoying, molesting, harassing, or disturbing a manatee. A witness first made contact with the individual while he was in the water encroaching upon two adult manatees and two calves. The individual stated to the witness, “I’m riding it!”  The witness advised the individual that manatees were an endangered species and it was illegal to bother them. The witness made it appear as if they had left the area, but kept eyes on the individual, who entered back into the water, shortly after, and re-engaged with the manatees. Officer Baumgartner arrived on scene and witnessed the individual reaching out for, touching, and laying over the top of manatees in the creek, including a calf. When the officer approached the individual, he became verbally combative and denied any interactions with the witness. A short time later, he changed his story and admitted he did talk to the witness, but “wasn’t going to stop until someone with a badge told him to.”  The individual continuously chanted “take me to jail,” and was even advised by a third party on scene to “hit them [the officers] in the face so that they’d have to take him to jail.” At Plantation Key Jail, the individual was placed into an isolation cell after refusing to provide his information to the Corrections officer. After an extensive search, the officers were able to identify the man.

 

Officers Johnson, Foell and Rubenstein were on JEA patrol aboard the FWC vessel Interceptor. The officers conducted a fisheries inspection on a commercial spiny lobster vessel north of the Middle Keys in the Gulf of Mexico. Upon inspection, the officers found five undersized mutton snapper on board the vessel. The vessel also contained commercial quantities of spiny lobster. The captain was unable to produce a Saltwater Products License (SPL) upon inspection. The FWC Dispatch was able to confirm the vessel had a valid SPL attached. A notice to appear was issued for possession of undersized mutton snapper and for not possessing a saltwater products license while actively commercial fishing.

 

DIRECTED CONSERVATION PATROLS

 

COLLIER COUNTY

 

Officers from the Inland Squad recently conducted Panther Zone speed enforcement on US 41 in Collier County. Along with educating the public about the zones, the officers issued 12 uniform traffic citations and 9 warnings for speeding and other infractions.

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