 CASES
Escambia County
- Officer Specialist Allgood received information that an individual may have illegally killed a deer at night and responded to the suspects’ residence. While at the residence, Officer Allgood found evidence of a deer being field dressed there recently. The suspect admitted shooting four antlerless deer the night before in Blackwater State Forest. He also shot a racoon and left the carcass in his garbage. Officer Allgood located the meat from four recently harvested deer in coolers at the residence and part of a fifth antlerless deer the suspect admitted shooting at night earlier in the week. Officer Allgood seized the gun used and charged the suspect with multiple charges including possession of antlerless deer in a closed season and willful waste of wildlife. Officer Allgood also obtained an arrest warrant for five counts of taking a deer at night with a gun and light.
- Senior Officer P. Rockwell, Officer Specialist G. Matechik, and Officer J. Stallings were on patrol approximately 20 miles south of Pensacola and conducted a fisheries inspection on a charter vessel fishing in federal waters. During the inspection, the officers found the vessel to be in possession of reef fish and subjects fishing for reef fish. The charter vessel did not possess the Federal Reef Fish Permit required to operate a for hire vessel in federal waters. The first-time offense for this violation is a $3,000 fine. The charter vessel was issued a notice of violation for this offense.
Franklin County
- Officer L. Glover was conducting fishery inspections at a local fishing pier and inspected a man returning from fishing on the pier. During the inspection, the officer located 14 spotted sea trout, all of which were under the minimum size limit. Misdemeanor citations were issued for over the bag limit and undersized spotted sea trout.
Okaloosa County
- Officers Oliver and Stallings were on patrol when they observed a fishing vessel returning from the Gulf of Mexico. The officers conducted a vessel stop to complete a boating safety and resource inspection. Upon inquiring if there were any fish on board, the captain stated they had caught only one bonito. Upon boarding, the captain showed the officer the one bonito and attempted to close the fish box. Upon further inspection, it was discovered the captain was in possession of one red snapper and one gag grouper, which were shoved to the back of the fish box. Both species are currently out of season. The fish were seized, and the captain was charged with possession of the two reef fish species during closed season.
Wakulla County
- Officer D. Travis conducted an inspection of three individuals on board a vessel. The owner/captain said they had two legal red drum and threw a bunch of short ones back. Officer Travis saw two legal red drum in a cooler on the vessel. Further observation revealed two undersized red drum in a plastic bag concealed under a gas tank. The owner/captain said he forgot to throw them back. The owner/captain was issued misdemeanor citations for over the bag limit of red drum and possession of undersized red drum.
Walton County
- Officer J. Brooks responded to a complaint of subjects illegally camping in Point Washington State Forest. While Officer J. Brooks was speaking to the occupants of the camp, he smelled a strong odor of burnt cannabis and methamphetamine coming from the subjects and their camp. The female subject told Officer J. Brooks she had methamphetamine residue and some weed pipes. While recovering the narcotics, Officer J. Brooks also noticed there were a lot of tools and chainsaws in the camp. The Officer contacted Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) for assistance, and it was determined the chainsaws were stolen in a burglary. Officer J. Brooks arrested the female for possession of 1.3 grams methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of felony probation, and issued her a citation for illegal camping. Walton County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested the male subject for burglary and possession of stolen property.
 CASES
Duval County
- Lieutenant Hein was on patrol near Goodbys Creek Marina and observed a vessel pulling into the boat ramp with no navigational lights displayed. Lt. Hein conducted a vessel stop to address the violation and to conduct a boating safety inspection. During the encounter, the operator was verbally aggressive and showed signs of impairment. Lt. Hein determined the operator to be impaired and the subject was arrested for BUI. The subject became physically aggressive while being placed in the patrol car. He was taken to Duval County Jail where he was charged with BUI, resisting arrest, and numerous other violations.
- Officer Goodfellow was on night patrol and conducted a vehicle stop in the Cecil/Taye Brown Park area. The three individuals with the vehicle said they were hunting wild hogs. Two of the individuals were using dogs for the hunt. Officer Goodfellow issued the two individuals a citation for not having permission to hunt with dogs on private property. All three individuals were issued numerous warnings for trespassing and city of Jacksonville Park violations.
Nassau County
- Officer Specialist Stuhr was given information about a vessel anchored in the channel that was blocking vessel access to the Port of Fernandina. The investigation found the vessel in the middle of the channel about 50-60 yards from the port. Officer Specialist Stuhr found the vessel to have multiple violations and was able to identify and contact the new owner/responsible party. Officer Specialist Stuhr issued the subject a misdemeanor notice to appear for failure to transfer title within 30 days of change of ownership, Uniform Boating Citation for storing a vessel on state waters with an expired registration, and a warning for interfering with navigation. The subject immediately relocated the vessel.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Levy County
- Levy County squad members Officer Specialist Willis and Officers Bell, Smith, and Carroll participated in “Operation Clear Out of Sight,” which targeted marine debris removal in and around Cedar Key. The officers partnered with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Marine Debris Removal Program, Florida Department of Environment Protection, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences program to remove the debris. The officers and partners filled five large dumpsters, including a roll-back trailer, with marine debris they removed. It is estimated one dumpster alone contained over 1,600 pounds of removed debris. The debris consisted of clam farming cover netting, oyster cages, crab trap buoys, and other debris.
 CASES
Brevard County
- Officer Specialist Balgo and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Officer Hamilton located a vehicle trespassing on Middle Gator Creek Trail on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The officers found the passenger to have felony warrants out of Texas with full extradition. The subject was arrested for the felony warrants and booked into the Brevard County Jail.
- While on land patrol, Officer Specialist Rasey conducted a resource check on a subject who was cast netting. Upon inspection, the angler was found to be in possession of two undersized snook and two undersized sheepshead. The suspect was unaware of the size and bag limit rules pertaining to those species, as well as method of take and permitting. The subject was cited accordingly.
- Officer Specialist Hallsten and Officer Snyder were patrolling Port Canaveral when they received a call for service regarding subjects cast netting undersized snook from the pier. The officers arrived on scene and several citizens pointed out the subjects as they fled the pier on foot with only their cooler. The subjects were stopped, and a resource inspection revealed three undersized snook inside the cooler they were carrying. One of subjects admitted cast netting the fish and was cited accordingly.
- Officer Specialist Balgo observed a vessel coming in from offshore near Port Canaveral. The officer conducted a resource inspection and located an undersized cobia. The operator was cited accordingly. On another occasion, Officer Balgo observed a vessel at night returning to Port Canaveral from offshore. While conducting a resource inspection, he located three out of season red snapper. The information was passed on to NOAA and the subject was cited accordingly.
- During this time of year, blue fish migrating south through Sebastian Inlet attract anglers from across the state. Officer Specialist Marroquin patrolled Sebastian Inlet State Park and while conducting inspections, he identified one angler who was observed harvesting many blue fish and placing them all into his cooler. After observing the subject, Officer Marroquin conducted a resource inspection that revealed the subject was double over his bag limit of blue fish. The subject was cited accordingly.
- Officer Specialist Hallsten was conducting foot patrol in Cocoa Beach when he observed a subject who was actively fishing quickly pack up some of his gear as he approached. The subject put a soft cooler over his shoulder and ran away. Officer Hallsten ran after the subject and caught up to him as he was entering a nearby condominium complex. The subject admitted to fleeing because he saw Officer Hallsten. The subject was charged with failure to allow inspection, failure to tend hook and line gear, and fishing without a nonresident fishing license.
- Officer Specialist Marroquin was on patrol on a fishing pier when he observed a subject preparing a fish to put on a grill. Officer Marroquin quickly made his way to the subject who was in possession of an out of season redfish. The subject was cited accordingly.
Osceola County
- Officer Nall was off duty when he received a call from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office regarding a subject who had taken multiple shots with a firearm while spotlighting from a moving vehicle in a residential area and then was seen leaving the area. Officer Nall came on duty and responded to the location with OCSO deputies. Blood was located in the area where the vehicle was last seen. Units began to search the area for a vehicle matching the description. Eventually, a deputy located a matching vehicle and observed the occupant of the vehicle using a spotlight to illuminate the nearby wood line for game. Officer Nall conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and located multiple firearms inside. Two of the rifles located inside had spotlights zip-tied to the barrels. The subject’s weapons were seized as evidence, and he was issued appropriate citations.
Flagler County
- While on patrol, Officer Specialist Campbell received a complaint of an angler harvesting undersized sheepshead and black drum. Officer Campbell contacted the angler and conducted a saltwater fisheries inspection. During the inspection, he located six undersized sheepshead and one undersized black drum. The subject was charged with harvesting undersized sheepshead and received a warning for the undersized black drum.
Orange County
- Officer Fahnestock was working Lake Rose in Orlando regarding a tip that two subjects were keeping over the bag limit of bass. Upon arrival, he observed two subjects who were fishing from a boat on Lake Rose. Officer Fahnestock conducted a fisheries inspection and found them to be in possession of five bass over 16-inches, putting them three over the daily bag limit of bass over 16-inches. The subjects were cited accordingly.
Volusia County
- Officer Grant was on foot patrol near the Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach following up on information regarding unlawful traps. Four subjects were observed fishing from shore using handlines instead of rods and reels. When questioned if the four had caught any fish, they advised they had not. Officer Grant inspected a bucket in their possession, which contained 25 undersized mangrove snapper. It was determined all four subjects had caught the fish. Officer Grant addressed the violations of undersized mangrove snapper and over the daily bag limit of mangrove snapper with all four subjects accordingly.
- Officer Stoker was conducting traffic enforcement within Bulow Creek State Park when he observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and activated his radar. The vehicle was traveling more than 20 mph over the posted speed limit of 45 mph. Officer Stoker conducted a traffic stop to address the violation. The subject was not able to produce a driver’s license but did have in her possession three uniform traffic citations recently issued by Daytona Beach Police Department. Officer Stoker was able to determine the subject’s driving privilege was revoked for driving under the influence and she was provided notice of the revocation. Officer Stoker addressed the violation of speed and driving on a revoked license.
RESCUE
Brevard County
- Officer Specialist Hallsten received a phone call regarding a boat sinking in the Indian River. Officer Hallsten boarded a patrol boat and responded to the area to find two subjects treading water next to their mostly submerged boat. Officer Hallsten pulled both subjects out of the water and took them back to their vehicle. He assisted both subjects in calling friends and family members for help recovering the sunk boat.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Brevard County
- Lieutenant Lightsey attended an outdoor clinic with over 70 youth participants. During the camp, kids were instructed in safety with archery equipment and learned about living with alligators in Florida. A live alligator was brought for educational purposes and the kids were able to see a patrol airboat on the water. A great time was had by all.
Indian River County
- Officer Hedgepeth assisted in a FWC youth hog hunt. This great opportunity afforded eight youth the chance to harvest a wild hog on state lands.
Orange County
- Lieutenant Riley taught hunter education to new hunters at the Orange County Rifle and Gun Club. He explained laws and rules as well as how to look up information about quota hunts, wildlife management areas, future changes to the rules, and contacting law enforcement with questions.
- Officer Specialist Weber conducted an outreach event for approximately 100 5th grade students at Vista Lakes Elementary School. Topics included what it’s like to be an FWC officer and how our role in conservation law enforcement ensures future generations enjoy the outdoors in Florida.
Marion County
- Officer Specialist Weber conducted an outreach event at the Dunnellon Public Library. The event covered topics about Florida’s freshwater fishing activities and the Trophy Catch program.
 CASES
Hillsborough County
- While patrolling, Officer McCormack observed two subjects spearfishing approximately 50-75 feet from a bridge in Tampa Bay where public fishing is legal. He approached the subjects and conducted a resource inspection. One of the subjects was in possession of an undersized sheepshead and a legal sized spotted seatrout. Both fish showed evidence of being speared and the subject admitted to using a speargun to take them. Take of spotted seatrout with spear is unlawful. In addition, both subjects were in violation of spearfishing within 100 yards of a bridge where fishing is legally permitted. The appropriate resource citation and written warnings were issued.
- Officer McCormack was conducting resource inspections near the Gandy Bridge in Tampa Bay. While checking a family with fishing gear, a youth angler showed the officer his bucket with the fish he had caught. Upon inspection, the officer observed a sheepshead, mangrove snapper and two spotted seatrout. After measuring the fish, both fish were undersized. Officer McCormack used the opportunity to educate the youth and his family on why the fish were not legal.
- Officer McCormack received a Wildlife Alert about a group of subjects spearfishing snook along a bridge area where other people were fishing. Officer McCormack conducted a resource inspection and located a bag with a snook and sheepshead inside. He also located fins, mask, weighed belt, and a spear gun with the group. He inspected the fish in the bag and determined all of them were harvested by spearing. The snook was undersized, out of season, and harvested with an illegal method. Two of the five sheepshead were undersized as well. None of the subjects had a fishing license and the fish were speared within 100 yards of a bridge. The appropriate resource citation and written warnings were issued.
 CASES
Broward County
- Officers Bruder and Dudas were on federal fishery patrol off the coast of Broward County. They observed a vessel with people fishing nine miles offshore of Port Everglades. They conducted a fisheries inspection and observed several undersize yellowtail snapper in the fish box. The operator was issued a federal citation for the violation.
- Lieutenant Ryan observed a vehicle parked near the entrance to STA 2 Waterfowl PSGHA. Inspection of the unoccupied vehicle revealed a vessel had been tied to the roof. Lt. Ryan located an occupied kayak in the closed waters of the STA and observed a subject fishing. The subject was issued a citation for fishing in the closed STA.
Martin County
- Officer Stiltner and Officer Hudson were conducting patrol on SW Warfield Blvd. and observed a swamp buggy in a closed area of the Hungryland Wildlife and Environmental Area and conducted a stop. Three hunters occupied the buggy with hunting dogs and two wild hog carcasses. The hunting dogs did not have the correct collars to show the owners name and address. Each of the subjects each received notices to appear in court for hunting in a closed area and for not having the appropriate dog collars.
Palm Beach County
- While patrolling an area near Belle Glade, Officers Pecko and Madsen saw a male and female taking softshell turtles from a canal. There has been an executive closure in place since 2020 prohibiting the take or possession of these turtles because they carry a virus. Lt. Hayes and Officer Riggs were also in the area and watched the suspects from a distance. A short time later, K9 Officer Delatorre stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation. The subjects indicated they did not have any fish or wildlife in their vehicle. Officer Delatorre worked the K9 around the vehicle and the dog gave clear responses something was in the trunk. The suspect opened the trunk and revealed 12 turtles. This is the suspect’s third time being caught with turtles since the closure was put in place. While being booked in jail, a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s detective told the officers he had been looking for these suspects. The detective also had a warrant to serve them for felony grand theft.
- Officers Peters and Defeo assisted Officer Rea with an internet crime complaint. A young man posted a picture to his social media of him in possession of a 4’ alligator. The alligator had electrical tape wrapped around its mouth in the picture while the young man was holding it. Officer Peters and Defeo conducted a “knock and talk” at the subject’s residence. After speaking with him and his parents, the officers educated him on the rules and regulations. The subject was cited accordingly, for being in possession of and for not having a resident alligator trapping license.
Lucie County
- Officer James Payne was on patrol at Black Pearl Boat Ramp when he observed a subject pull up to the fillet station with a snook that appeared to be less than the legal length requirement of 28”. Officer Payne contacted the subject to inspect it. The snook was measured and found be under the legal requirement. The subject was issued a notice to appear for possession of undersized snook.
- Officer Miano was on patrol near a city park in Port St. Lucie when someone approached her to report a toddler was running down the roadway alone. The officer quickly located a woman holding a toddler and confirmed to be the one reported. No parent or guardian could be immediately found. Officer Miano took custody of the child and secured him in her patrol truck and contacted Port St. Lucie Police Department to assist in locating the parents. Additional officers arrived and conducted a canvas of the area to locate a parent or guardian. A nearby residence was located with the front door wide open and two adults sleeping inside. After a brief interview, they were identified as the toddler's parents and were unaware the child had left their residence. The child was returned home without further incident.
RESCUE
Martin County
- Lt. Hayes received a call from dispatch regarding a sick hiker on the Ocean to Lake Trail. The hiker was in Dupuis Wildlife and Environmental Area along the trail and needed immediate help getting out. Lt. Hayes along with Officers Harris and Webb searched the area from different locations because exact GPS coordinates were not immediately available. Lt. Hayes found the hiker and transported her out of the area to the main entrance where an EMS crew was standing by to assist.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Okeechobee County
- The Bassmaster Elite Series conducted a tournament from Scott Driver Boat Ramp. With over 100 boats registered in the tournament, the waterways were busy. Officers Madsen and Riggs maintained high visibility on water patrol during this time to ensure everyone’s safety and attended the weigh-in process for security purposes.
Palm Beach County
- Lt. Brodbeck participated in Career Day at Citrus Cove Elementary school. Busch Wildlife Center in Jupiter kindly loaned a Florida Box turtle as a display animal for the event. Lt. Brodbeck spoke to approximately 50 2nd grade students about Florida’s wildlife, his career with FWC as well as the FWC’s mission and work of its divisions and offices.
 DIRECTED CONSERVATION PATROLS
Monroe County
Southwest Region Officers Lejarzar and Hardgrove were patrolling as part of a special detail and conducted numerous fisheries inspections on vessels and shore anglers. While many people were in compliance with the regulations, the officers encountered several subjects who were not. The officers issued misdemeanor citations to several people for being in possession of undersized mangrove snapper, undersized schoolmaster snapper, undersized yellow-tail snapper, out of season and undersized red grouper and undersized barracuda. The officers also checked several people returning from fishing who failed to land the snappers they caught in whole condition and had filleted them while on the water. They were issued a misdemeanor for the violation.
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