 CASES
Franklin County
- While conducting vessel patrol in Apalachicola Bay, Officers T. Hartzog and T. Nelson observed a recreational fishing vessel returning from offshore with two occupants. The officers conducted a resource inspection of the vessel. Prior to the inspection, the occupants of the vessel told the officers they did not have any fish on board. During the inspection, the officers located a cooler containing 25 red snapper, eight of which were shorter than the minimum recreational size limit of 16 inches. At this time, red snapper season is closed. The officers took appropriate action to address the violations.
Walton County
- Officer Graves contacted a subject after observing him hunting over a baited area at Eglin AFB. Officer Graves had previously observed this baited area. The subject admitted to placing the bait in the area he was hunting. He was cited for hunting over the bait and issued a three-year suspension from Eglin AFB.
 CASES
Citrus County
- Officer Specialist Sarmiento conducted a boating safety and resource inspection on a recreational vessel and discovered several mangrove snapper on board that were less than the 10-inch size requirement. The responsible fishermen were charged for the violation and the undersized fish were seized as evidence.
Clay County
- Officer Heath was patrolling Jennings Forest Wildlife Management Area when he observed a vehicle parked near a known bait site. He contacted the subject, who was removing his stand from a tree near the bait. During the interview, the subject admitted to placing the bait to hunt wild hogs. He was issued a misdemeanor citation for distributing grain or other food for wildlife on a WMA.
Columbia County
- Senior Officer Johnston was patrolling the Florida Department of Environmental Property at Kirby Pit, which has been closed to the general public since 2001. He observed a truck parked near the edge of a lake. Officer Johnston contacted the two subjects inside the vehicle to address the trespassing violation. Upon contact, Officer Johnston smelled cannabis coming from the vehicle and neither subject could provide a medical marijuana card. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed several articles of drug paraphernalia and suspected THC concentrate/wax. Both subjects were issued trespass warnings and ordered not to return to the property. Charges for possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia are possible pending.
- In response to complaints from the public, Senior Officer Johnston was patrolling property owned and managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection at Kirby Pit, which has been closed to the public since 2001. He encountered two subjects who were trespassing on the property in an off-highway vehicle. After contacting the subjects, he positively identified them and found the OHV driver to have an active nonexpiring trespass warning on file for Kirby Pit that had been issued by another FWC officer in 2021. The driver was issued a notice to appear in court for trespassing after being warned. The passenger was issued a nonexpiring trespass warning notice. Both subjects were ordered to leave the property.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS
Columbia County
Numerous FWC officers worked the regional National Archery in the Schools Program Tournament at Lake City Middle School over the weekend. Officers served as lane judges for the student archers. There were approximately 300 people in attendance.
 CASES
Sumter County
- Senior Officer Phillips was on night patrol in the Richloam - Baird Unit Wildlife Management Area when he observed a vehicle travel toward him shining a light into the woods in a sweeping manner. Officer Phillips contacted the driver and two passengers and conducted a resource inspection on the vehicle. The driver said he had a .22 caliber rifle. Officer Phillips located a .22 caliber rifle behind the driver and another rifle on the floorboard of the vehicle concealed under a camo jacket. Both rifles were loaded and the rifle found on the passenger floorboard had a round in the chamber. The subjects admitted they were looking for animals. Officer Phillips seized the rifles and the subjects were cited appropriately.
Volusia County
- Officer Cornell was patrolling state forest land when he observed three separate individuals harvesting commercially exploited plant life. An investigation revealed none of the individuals had the required permits. The subjects were charged appropriately.
Putnam County
- Officer Specialist Christmas concluded a derelict vessel investigation after observing an abandoned vessel on the St. Johns River. Officer Christmas identified the owner and discovered they had moved to Orlando. Officer Christmas met with the owner and issued the subject a citation for leaving a derelict vessel on the waters of the state.
- As part of a public safety detail, local patrol officers recently inspected numerous saltwater product retail locations throughout the county to ensure quality control regulations were being followed. While conducting the inspections, several violations were observed for unsanitary conditions. Appropriate citations and warnings were issued to address the violations.
St. Johns County
- Local patrol officers conducted wholesale and retail seafood inspections as part of a public safety detail. Multiple locations were inspected, resulting in five written warnings and nine in-compliance checks. Based on the proactive efforts, community members commended the officers for their work.
Brevard County
- Officer Specialist Balgo was patrolling near SR 520 and the Banana River when he observed three individuals fishing under a relief bridge. While conducting a resource inspection, the officer located a cooler near the individuals. He located several undersized spotted seatrout and sheepshead.
- Officer Specialist Balgo and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Officer Hamilton located a vehicle trespassing on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The officers located two individuals who were placing undersized fish in the bed of their vehicle. The officers conducted a resource inspection and located five undersized mangrove snapper and undersized sheepshead.
- Officer Specialist Hallsten and Officer Parrish were on patrol when they received a call for service in reference to a vessel possibly gill netting within the Indian River. The officers contacted the vessel occupants and discovered they were using a legal seine net but were in possession of five oversized black drum. Citations were written accordingly.
- Officer Specialist Hallsten and Officer Parrish received a call for service in reference to subjects who were in possession of an oversized redfish within the catch and release only region on the Indian River Lagoon. The subjects were located and a resource inspection revealed one oversized redfish. A citation was issued accordingly.
- At Sebastian Inlet, Officer St. Martin observed two groups of anglers and notified Officer Delano when one of the groups began to return to the parking lot. Once the group arrived at the parking lot, Officer Delano conducted a resource inspection and observed five undersized sheepshead. Officer St. Martin met the other group at the parking lot and conducted a resource inspection. The anglers stated they had not caught any fish. Officer St. Martin had observed individuals in this group hide an object in the mangroves near the area they were fishing. Officer St. Martin waded to the location and found a bucket with numerous undersized sheepshead in it. Both groups of anglers were cited accordingly.
- Officers Balgo, Hallsten, and Kearney were patrolling near Port Canaveral when they observed a vessel displaying fishing equipment head towards Port Canaveral. The officers stopped the vessel and conducted a resource inspection. The officers located two individuals to be in possession of seven undersized tripletail as well as being over the bag limit.
Indian River County
- Officer Beck responded to a disturbance at Sebastian Inlet State Park where a camper was observed by park staff and bystanders making threats and attempting to start fights with other campers. Due to the nature of the threats, park staff requested the camper be issued a trespass from the park. Officer Beck’s investigation revealed the camper was also breaking several state park violations and a trespass notice was warranted. After several hours and attempts to give the camper a chance to leave the park, he refused. The camper was ultimately arrested, transported to the Indian River County Jail, and charged accordingly.
Orange County
- Officer Specialist Mendelson and K-9 Officer Specialist Hadwin responded to an individual inside a wildlife management area who drove his vehicle into a culvert washout beyond a posted closed road sign. The officers assisted the individual get his vehicle unstuck and violations were addressed. Later that shift, the officers observed an individual freshwater fishing with a cast net along the local river inside the WMA. During the resource and license check, Officer Mendelson received a warrant confirmation where the individual was identified as a fugitive from Louisiana. Officer Mendelson placed the individual into custody, and they booked him into the Orange County Jail for the felony warrant.
- Officer Navarino was on patrol in Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area when he stopped two vehicles returning from cast netting on the Saint Johns River. Officer Navarino asked the individuals where the fish were, and they indicated in the back of the second vehicle. Officer Navarino observed a cooler in the tail gate of the first vehicle and asked if there were any fish inside that cooler. The individual stated no. Officer Navarino conducted a resource inspection on the cooler and located a largemouth bass concealed in a black plastic bag. The individual was cited accordingly.
- Lieutenant Riley and Officer Navarino were on patrol when they heard a gunshot on Fort Christmas Road near Charles Bronson Wildlife Management Area. They observed a truck make several passes near an open field and shine an artificial light into the pasture. Officers Fahnestock and Parrish came to assist Officer Navarino and Lieutenant Riley. The subjects were observed jumping the fence of Charles Bronson WMA, using an artificial light to illuminate an antlered deer, and chasing and shooting at the deer. When the officers attempted to stop the individuals, they fled on foot. Two of the individuals were taken into custody and the third individual was later recovered. The individuals admitted to shooting the antlered deer with a rifle from the road and then driving home to switch trucks. They then returned to the scene to recover the deer. The officers received additional assistance during the early morning hours from Officers Stoker, Bertolami, and K-9 Officer North. Officer Ames assisted the next morning with interviews and evidence. The individuals were cited accordingly.
Osceola County
- Lieutenants Riley and Lightsey, along with Officer Hedgepeth issued a notice to appear earlier in the year to a man for illegal take of deer at night. The man pled no contest and was held accountable for the following penalty: Court cost of $271 six months’ probation, $1,000 donation to the Wildlife Alert fund, and must complete a hunter safety course.
- Officer Nall was patrolling a wildlife management area late at night when he observed a vehicle slowly moving through the area. The vehicle’s occupants began to shine a spotlight from the driver and passenger side windows. Officer Nall followed the vehicle and observed the driver shoot out of the vehicle window at a white-tailed deer. Officer Nall initiated a stop on both subjects and found the driver with a rifle in his hand when he exited the vehicle. A deer was recovered from the scene. The season is currently closed for deer. Both subjects were arrested and booked into the Osceola County Jail on multiple charges.
- Officer Nall was patrolling a wildlife management area late at night when he observed a vehicle enter the area at a slow rate of speed. Officer Nall observed the subjects exit the vehicle and release multiple hunting dogs in the WMA. Within a few minutes, the dogs had caught a wild hog. The subjects were stopped and issued multiple citations. It is illegal to night hunt within the WMA and the dogs did not have the proper name and address affixed.
SEARCH AND RESCUE
Brevard County
- Officer Parrish received a call for assistance from Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) about a child with autism who went missing. Multiple officers and investigators from the FWC responded with trucks, airboats, and ATVs to the scene. Captain Gaudion organized multiple search groups for the woods and nearby lime rock pits. After approximately 45 minutes of searching a heavily wooded area, Senior Officer Bohne, with assistance from BCSO air support, was able to safely recover the child and return him to his father.
- Officer Specialist Balgo received a call regarding three individuals in the Indian River having a capsized canoe. He launched a vessel, and with the assistance of Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) helicopter, locate the individuals near the channel. The water was rough, and two individuals were in the water hanging onto one of the kayaks. Officer Balgo was able to get all three individuals into the vessel and take them back to shore. Officer Hedgepeth assisted Officer Balgo and was able to locate the sunken canoe and return it back to the individual.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Brevard County
- Senior Officer Platt attended the evening pre-hunt portion of the T.M. Goodwin Wildlife Management Area youth waterfowl hunt. Officer Platt gave a hunter safety briefing and was able to answer questions for the youth and their parents. Approximately 20 youth were in attendance.
 CASES
Hillsborough County
- While on land patrol, Officer Rivard observed an individual fishing with a cast net in an area that does not allow the use of cast nets. He contacted the individual and conducted a fisheries inspection. At the conclusion of the inspection, he found the individual to be in possession of two largemouth bass. He issued the individual a citation for harvesting game fish with the use of a cast net.
Pinellas County
- While on land patrol, Lieutenant Bibeau observed four individuals fishing from the shore. He contacted the individuals and conducted a fisheries inspection. At the conclusion of the inspection, he located an undersized redfish. One of the individuals admitted to catching the redfish and was issued a citation for the fisheries violation.
Sarasota County
- While on water patrol, Officer Blyar received a call from an angler regarding snook being taken at a small pier in Phillippi Estate Park. He located the subject and performed a fisheries inspection. The subject was in possession of a single undersized snook. The subject did not have a valid fishing license or snook stamp. He was written a citation for out of season snook and warnings for the other violations.
- Officer Blyar was on patrol near the Albee bridge. He observed two men fishing with a cooler in between them. He asked if they had any fish in their cooler and they replied there was one and it had been given to them. In the cooler was one undersized, out of season snook. When he asked who gave them the snook, they said the individual had left the area. They were both issued citations for possession of snook out of season and warnings for possession of an undersized snook, no fishing license, and no snook permit.
- Officer Arielia Devine and Officer Blyar were on water patrol by Blackburn Bridge in Osprey. They saw four men fishing on the bank. When they contacted the subjects, they found multiple ladyfish and one undersized redfish on the bank. Officer Devine issued the subject a citation for possession of an undersized redfish.
 CASES
Hendry County
- Officers Naules and Dial were conducting resource and license inspections of snook anglers at the Ortona Locks. During one inspection, Officer Naules encountered a subject who had an active arrest warrant out of Collier County. The officers confirmed the warrant and placed the subject under arrest. The subject was transported to the Hendry County Jail.
Martin County
- Officers Hudson and Stlitner were on patrol in the vicinity of the Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area off SR 710 when they observed a swamp buggy in an area inside the WEA that is closed to the public. The officers stopped the swamp buggy and through investigation found the three individuals on the buggy were wild hog hunting. The individuals were in possession of two harvested wild hogs, hunting dogs and firearms. A total of six citations were issued and the following violations were addressed: hunting in a closed area, operating a vehicle in a closed area, hunting with dogs without collars, hunting with dogs in the WEA and hunting wild hogs out of season in the WEA.
Palm Beach County
- Officer Trawinski responded to anonymous report of three males shooting an alligator in J. W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area. The officer found the vehicle matching the description with three subjects inside, along with an alligator carcass and the carcass of a black-crowned night heron. Both animals had small caliber bullet holes. All vehicle occupants were in possession of small caliber firearms. The subjects insisted the animals were given to them. However, after arrival of backup, allowing separate interviews to be conducted, all subjects admitted to killing the animals. The animals and firearms were seized as evidence. All involved were cited accordingly.
- Officer Defeo, along with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Fire Rescue responded to Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge to rescue two individuals who flipped their canoe and were stranded in the water. The subjects were located and transported back to the boat ramp with the assistance of a Good Samaritan vessel.
- Officer David Morgan with assistance from Officers Austin Gilmore and Joshua Eustice conducted a boating safety inspection near Jupiter Lighthouse. Upon contact with the operator, Officer Morgan developed reasonable suspicion to believe the operator was impaired and began a boating under the influence investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation, it was determined the operator was impaired and the subject was arrested and booked into Palm Beach County jail.
- Officer Bouras was on patrol in the A1-FEB Public Small Game Hunting Area. He observed an individual fishing in one of the lakes and conducted a freshwater fisheries inspection on the individual. Pursuant to the inspection, he issued the individual a criminal notice to appear for possession of over the bag limit of black bass and possession of oversize limit black bass.
- Officer Little was on patrol in the area of the STA 2 Waterfowl PSGHA when he observed a vehicle and trailer backed in by the entrance. Officer Little observed two subjects sweeping debris off the trailer. When the subjects saw Officer Little, they got back into the truck and drove south on US-27. Officer Little went to the dump area and observed piles of dirt and pieces of fiber-optic pipes at the dump site. Officer Little traveled south on US-27 to locate the vehicle and trailer. He conducted a traffic stop and upon speaking to them, they admitted to dumping debris off the trailer. Both subjects were issued criminal citations for illegal dumping.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
- Officer Wences and Lt. Hayes attended the 2nd annual Law Enforcement speck fishing tournament on Lake Okeechobee. The Sheriffs from Okeechobee and Glades counties sponsor this tournament for police and fire rescue employees. A local FWC biologist conducted the official weigh in.
 CASES
Monroe County
- While conducting resource inspections at Tom’s Harbor bridge, Officer Stallings observed a subject fishing with rod and reel. After contacting the subject, Officer Stallings asked them if they caught any fish. The subject stated they caught fish and they were located inside his ice chest. Officer Stallings observed eight mangrove snapper, six of which were undersized. Officer Stallings charged the subject with possession of undersized and over the bag limit of mangrove snapper.
- While conducting resource inspections at the south end of Marvin D. Adams Bridge, Officers Brooks and Stallings observed a subject fishing with a rod and reel. As they approached, they observed the subject catch a mangrove snapper. The subject then dehooked the snapper and looked towards Officer Brooks direction. After the subject saw Officer Brooks approaching him, he tossed the mangrove snapper back into the water. He then began removing other small mangrove snapper from within an orange bucket and throwing them into the Marvin D. Adams canal. Officers Brooks and Stallings moved in to arrest the subject, who resisted arrest without violence. Officer Brooks charged the subject with interference of an FWC officer and resisting arrest.
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