FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Reports for Feb 24-March 2

February 24 through March 2, 2023

This report represents some events the FWC handled over specified weeks; 
however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.

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CASES

Bay County

• Lieutenant Wicker and Officer Boley were on patrol in Pine Log State Forest and observed a truck driving slowly with the windows down and two occupants wearing blaze orange. Lieutenant Wicker and Officer Boley stopped the vehicle to conduct a resource inspection, and discovered the two individuals had been deer hunting in Pine Log all day and were moving to hunt a different spot that evening. They also observed two loaded rifles in the back seat. Deer season was closed in the state forest. Citations were issued to both individuals for hunting during closed season.
• Officer Specialist Alsobrooks responded to a call about individuals snatch hooking black drum from the pier. Once he arrived on scene, he found the gear, but another person stated the individuals had left. Officer Alsobrooks reviewed camera footage and saw the subjects in question. When the officer walked back outside, he observed the individuals reenter the area and stopped them for questioning. One subject admitted to snatching the black drum and was charged with illegal method of taking black drum. One rod and reel with a large weighted treble hook was seized as evidence. 

FEDERAL WATERS

• Officers Hartzog, Sizemore, and Forbes were conducting Joint Enforcement Agreement patrol within federal waters. They conducted a resource inspection on a state charter vessel and determined the captain did not possess a Federal Gulf Reef Permit while targeting reef fish in federal waters. The captain was cited accordingly. 

WALTON COUNTY

• Officers Letcher and Yates conducted an investigation involving illegal harvest of an antlerless deer. During their investigation, they determined the deer harvested was a male but its antlers were less than five inches. An antlerless deer is any deer (except a spotted fawn) without antlers or whose antlers are less than five inches in length. In addition, the deer had been illegally recorded on a harvest log by someone other than the person who harvested it. The subject who harvested the deer was not able to record it due to not having a hunting license and was cited for the license violation. The other subject was charged with possession of an antlerless deer and issued a warning for entering false information on a harvest log.
• Officers Letcher and Tison were on patrol when they observed a wrecked vehicle and a Walton County Sheriff’s Deputy pulled over on a highway. The officers pulled over to assist and the deputy told them the wrecked vehicle was suspected to be involved in a hit and run crash and when he attempted to pull the vehicle over, the driver exited and fled into the nearby woods. Officers Letcher and Tison went on foot patrol and located and safely apprehended the suspect. The individual was turned over to the deputy who initiated the stop.
• Officer Tison and Letcher received an anonymous tip regarding night hunting in Holmes County near the Walton County line. They responded to the location of the property where a deer was allegedly killed. Upon arriving at the residence, the officers encountered two males leaving the property and discovered evidence of a recently harvested deer in the bed of their truck. One of the suspects admitted to killing a deer at night and a recently field dressed antlerless deer was recovered nearby. The individual was cited for the night hunting violation and taking an antlerless deer out of season.

CASES

Citrus County

• Officer Jovanov was patrolling Citrus Wildlife Management Area when he observed a vehicle operating within an area posted as closed to vehicular traffic. Upon conducting a stop and interacting with the driver, Officer Jovanov noticed signs of impairment. After conducting an investigation including the use of field sobriety tasks, Officer Jovanov determined the driver was under the influence to the point normal faculties were impaired. The driver was arrested and charged with DUI and issued a citation for operating a vehicle within a closed area.
• Officer Pietroburgo was patrolling Citrus Wildlife Management Area when he observed a vehicle operating within an area posted as closed to vehicular traffic. Officer Pietroburgo conducted a stop and discovered numerous violations as well as the fact he had recently cited the subject for the same violations. The driver was criminally charged for knowingly driving while license suspended, cited for operating a vehicle in a closed area, cited for expired registration more than six months, and issued warnings for hauling large quantities of garbage upon managed lands and no insurance.
• Officer Pietroburgo focused his patrol efforts to curb damage in the Citrus Wildlife Management Area due to off-roading. Officer Pietroburgo conducted surveillance and observed individuals in off road-style vehicles causing damage to the trails and surrounding land by operating in a careless manner. Officer Pietroburgo conducted stops and issued criminal charges for damage to state lands by motor vehicle.
• Lieutenant Ransom was conducting vessel patrol in the Homosassa River area when he observed a vessel violating a slow speed manatee zone. Lieutenant Ransom conducted a vessel stop, addressed the violation, and began a resource inspection after seeing fishing gear on board. The occupants were found to have taken over the daily bag limit of red drum. The subject was charged for the taking of over the daily bag limit of red drum.

Columbia County

• Senior Officer Johnston was patrolling state-owned land near Kirby Pit when he located a vehicle tag and a large water tank dumped in the woods. Officer Johnston processed the vehicle tag and found it was assigned to a utility trailer reported stolen several months ago.  According to the original theft report, the trailer contained two large water tanks when it was stolen.  Officers Johnston and Bryan canvassed the surrounding area searching for the second water tank with no success. The reporting/entering agency was notified and arrangements were made for the victim to recover his trailer tag and water tank.

Dixie County

• Senior Officer Cooper coordinated a special detail to target the enforcement of marine sanitation device laws focusing on liveaboard vessels in the Steinhatchee River. Officer Specialists Robson and Sheffield along with Lieutenant Ward assisted with the effort. All liveaboard vessels that were occupied at the time were inspected for compliance. One subject was cited for having no marine sanitation device and several other subjects were cited for various vessel registration violations.
• Senior K9 Officer Wiggins was on patrol along the coastline when he observed a male subject harvesting oysters in a prohibited area. Officer Wiggins located several bags containing freshly harvested oysters in the area where the male subject had been originally observed. The subject was charged with retrieving oysters in a prohibited area.
• Officer Specialists Robson and Sheffield were on foot patrol conducting marine fisheries inspections. Officer Robson contacted a female subject with a cooler and fishing equipment. When asked if she possessed any harvested fish, the female stated she did not. Upon inspecting the cooler, Officer Robson determined the subject was in possession of two red drum. One of the red drum was out of the legal slot size. Officer Robson issued the appropriate citation. 

Levy County

• Lieutenant Ransom, and Officers Bell and Jacobs were conducting commercial fish house inspections for compliance. While inspecting a fish house, two bushels of oysters were found to not have required documentation. Officer Bell will be conducting a further investigation into the offense.

Nassau County

• Officer Culbreth was conducting a fishery inspection on several individuals fishing from kayaks near Fernandina. While checking one angler, Officer Culbreth noticed one of the other anglers in the group toss a fish from his kayak into the water. Officer Culbreth had the individual retrieve the fish, which was a red drum. The subject admitted he tossed the fish because he was over the bag limit for red drum.  Officer Culbreth issued citations for being over the bag limit and interference with a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Columbia County

• Area officers assisted at the annual Statewide National Archery in the Schools (NASP) Program tournament held Feb. 24-25 at Lake City Middle School. Over 450 elementary, middle and high school students from 30 schools across the state participated in the event. Officers assisted with scoring, security and serving as lane judges at the state tournament.

CASES

Lake County

• Officer Wild was on water patrol on the St. Johns River checking late night bow-fisherman. He encountered a vessel floating towards the shoreline without any white anchor lights and the operator and an occupant immediately began to conceal something. Officer Wild conducted a vessel stop and observed the operator showing several signs of impairment and also detected the smell of marijuana. The officer located medical-grade marijuana in its original packaging and smoking devices stowed in dash compartments. Standardized seated sobriety tasks indicated impairment and the operator was charged with boating under the influence, possession of marijuana under 20 grams, and cited for multiple boating safety violations.

Marion County

• Officer Specialist L. Dickson along with Officers Galvan and D. Dickson conducted saltwater products inspections at local Marion County businesses. The inspections were conducted to check the quality control of saltwater products and licensing requirements. During an inspection, a local business was found to have no saltwater product license available and no records for the saltwater products in inventory. Citations were issued for failure to keep adequate records.

St. Johns County

• While on water patrol, Officer Specialist Thomas stopped a vessel at Vilano Beach Boat Ramp. Upon inspection, Officer Thomas located seven red snapper on board. The subject was cited for possession of over the bag limit of red snapper in state waters.
• While on federal water patrol, Officer Specialist Thomas and Officer Lemaster stopped a vessel approximately 20 miles east of the St. Augustine Inlet. Upon inspection, the officers located red snapper onboard the vessel. The subject was issued a federal citation for possession of red snapper in federal waters.
• While conducting a vessel stop in federal waters about 30 miles east of the St. Augustine Inlet, Officer Specialist Thomas and Officer Lemaster located a red drum, which is prohibited in federal waters. The subject was also observed catching red snapper and throwing them back into the water without using a descending device. The subject was issued a federal citation for possessing red drum in federal waters and a federal citation for no descending device on board.
• While on foot patrol, Officer Specialist Lawrence conducted a resource inspection on a man fishing near the Matanzas Inlet. Upon inspection, the subject was found in possession of seven undersized black drum. The subject was cited for the violation.
• Officer Specialist Campbell and Officer Ramsey were on patrol when they received information from a local landowner about two people trespassing. The officers responded to the area and located the two subjects. While addressing the trespassing, it was found one of the subjects had a warrant for his arrest. Both subjects received trespass notices. The subject with the warrant was arrested and transported to jail.
• Senior Officer Greenier and Lieutenant Brock were on patrol when they saw a group of anglers at a local pond. The officers conducted a freshwater fisheries inspection and determined the group was using a cast net to harvest freshwater gamefish. In the cooler, the officers located four black crappie, which is a freshwater gamefish and can only be legally harvested by hook and line. The subject that harvested the black cappie was issued a misdemeanor citation for using an illegal method to catch freshwater gamefish.

Brevard County

• While conducting resource inspections in Port Canaveral, Officer Specialist Balgo observed and addressed several violations:
  • While inspecting one vessel, he located an undersized cobia. The owner of the vessel was cited accordingly.
  • While conducting a resource inspection, he located three out of season red snapper inside a cooler. The individual’s information was passed along to NOAA for further action.
  • While inspecting another vessel, he located two undersized cobia inside a compartment. The individual was cited accordingly.
• Officer Snyder received information from Officer Specialist Balgo regarding an individual keeping redfish at Pine Island. Officer Snyder located an individual matching the description and observed a redfish in his cooler. The individual was cited accordingly.
• Officer Specialist Hallsten was conducting water patrol near Port Canaveral when he observed a fishing vessel returning from sea. A fisheries inspection was conducted, and it was discovered the subject had been commercial diving for lobster and did not display his commercial dive number on the vessel. The subject had previously been warned for the same violation by Officer Hallsten. A citation was issued accordingly.
• Officer Specialists Balgo and Hallsten were conducting water patrol near Port Canaveral when they observed a fishing vessel returning from sea. The subjects on the vessel stated they had one red snapper and some bonito and that those were the only fish on the vessel. The officers followed a trail of blood and slime to a storage hatch and found three undersized cobia. Charges include undersized red snapper, undersized cobia, over the vessel limit of cobia, and interference with an FWC officer.
• Officer Specialist Marroquin and Officer St. Martin were conducting an offshore fisheries patrol outside of Sebastian Inlet and did a resource inspection on a fishing vessel returning to shore. The subject onboard stated he had caught only lane snapper during his trip. The subject then opened his cooler revealing the lane snapper to the officers but quickly shut it. Officers St. Martin and Marroquin noticed this behavior and upon closer inspection, they discovered several bags of cobia fillets underneath the ice in the cooler. The subject was cited accordingly.
• Officer Specialist Marroquin and Officer St. Martin were on water patrol when they noticed a fishing vessel leaving a popular snook fishing spot. The officers conducted a resource inspection, which revealed the subject was in possession of an over-slot snook. The subject was cited accordingly.
• Officer Specialist Marroquin and Officer St. Martin were on offshore fisheries patrol at a local reef known for cobia fishing. As they approached the reef, they observed a group of anglers quickly packing up their gear. After noticing this behavior, they conducted a resource inspection and found the subjects to be in possession of over three times their legal bag limit of cobia, one of which was undersized. The subjects were cited accordingly.

Indian River County

• While on patrol, Officer Delano received a call regarding subjects keeping an undersized snook. Officer Delano located the subjects matching the description and conducted a resource inspection. Upon inspection he observed an undersized snook in the cooler the subject was carrying, along with eight undersized mangrove snapper all harvested by the one individual. The subject was cited accordingly.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Seminole County

• Senior Investigator McDaniel and Lieutenant Chase did presentations for 100 students in five 8^th grade ecology classes at Jackson Heights Middle School. The students were interested in learning about the FWC’s work on behalf of its mission to manage Florida’s fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.

Lake County

• Lieutenant Chase and FWC Administrative Assistant Pinto attended the City of Eustis and Duke Energy’s 122^nd Annual Georgefest. Over 3,000 people attended this event, which highlighted conservation, wildlife, and education in the community. The FWC was well received with the information presented and the opportunities provided for attendees to see a live alligator and a native snake.

Brevard County

• Officer Specialist Rasey conducted educational outreach to the 1^st and 2^nd grade classes at Space Coast Christian Academy. Several wildlife displays were presented along with a patrol vessel to teach about boating safety. The students also got to see a live alligator.

CASES

Hernando County

• Officers Joshua Little and Clay Heitt responded to two hikers who had become lost in the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area. After determining the subjects were closer to the coast than any WMA roads, the officers responded by airboat. They were able to locate the subjects and return them to their vehicle safely.
• Senior Officer Joshua Little and Officer Justin Holcomb located a subject keeping undersized sheepshead and mangrove snapper in Aripeka. The subject was cited accordingly.

Sarasota County

• Officer Blyar was on uniformed water patrol in New Pass Inlet. He observed a vessel coming into the inlet from offshore with multiple fishing rods on it. He approached the vessel to conduct a resource inspection and the operator stated he had caught fish. In the cooler were two undersized red grouper. The subject said he was not sure if the grouper were red grouper or snowy grouper, which have no size limit. The subject was written citations for the violations.
• Officer Blyar along with Senior Officer Eric Sierra, were on patrol near the 10th Street boat ramp. They observed a vessel with multiple fishing rods and two men approaching the boat ramp. During a fisheries inspection, the two occupants were found to be in possession of 85 vermillion snappers. The legal bag limit for vermillion snapper is 10 per person. Both men were charged with being over the bag limit of vermillion snapper.

CASES

Broward County

• Officers Olivera and McCollin Davis observed a subject fishing from vessel off Port Everglades. They stopped the vessel to conduct a resource inspection and found the subject was in possession of two undersize and out of season red grouper, an undersized and out of season hog snapper and a undersized mutton snapper.  The subject was issued five criminal charges for the undersize and out of season violations.
• While on vessel patrol about 1.5 miles offshore from Port Everglades, Officers McCollin Davis and Olivera conducted a resource inspection on three anglers. The subjects were found to be in possession of a parrotfish over 12”, an undersized yellowtail snapper, three undersized flounder and four undersized triggerfish. Each subject received four criminal citations for the resource violations.
• Officers Giani and Favrot conducted a vessel stop on the Intracoastal Waterway near Dania Beach Blvd. While conducting a fisheries inspection, the officers noticed a vessel operator showed signs of impairment. Officer Giani conducted field sobriety tasks, and ultimately placed the subject under arrest for BUI.
• Officer Giani conducted a fisheries inspection on a vessel in Port Everglades Inlet. The subject was found to be in possession of 13 vermillion snapper, which is eight over the daily bag limit in Atlantic Ocean waters. The subject was issued a criminal citation and the bag limit of fish was seized as evidence.
• Officer Little conducted a fisheries inspection at an I-75 rest area. The subject was found in possession of game fish taken by cast net. The subject was issued a criminal citation for taking game fish by illegal method.
• Officer Bouras responded to the Sheridan St. Bridge in Hollywood at night regarding a report of a boating accident.  Upon reaching the scene, a sailboat was stuck under the bridge with its mast caught in the drawbridge.  U.S. Coast Guard Station Ft. Lauderdale sent a patrol vessel to the scene. The USCG vessel was able to tow the sailboat after the drawbridge was lifted. The boating accident investigation is still pending.

Glades County

• Officers Naules and Dial were patrolling the Harney Pond Canal checking anglers for license and resource regulation compliance. They observed a subject fishing, who matched the description of a subject they received a tip on regarding keeping undersized fish. The officers conducted a resource inspection on the individual, who denied having kept any fish. The officers located several fish the subject had concealed in a submerged basket. The officers measured the fish and found a total of seven black crappie that were under the legal size limit of 10 inches. The subject was issued a notice to appear for the violation. The next day, the officers observed the same subject fishing in the same location. During the subsequent resource inspection, the subject was again found to be in possession of undersized black crappie and the subject was issued a second notice to appear for the violations.

Martin County

• Officer Reinhardt was patrolling beaches and conducting resource inspections on individuals fishing from the shoreline. Officer Reinhardt pulled into the parking lot of Tiger Shores beach and after a short time he observed an individual pulling a cart with fishing gear down the wooded trail from the beach. Officer Reinhardt saw the individual look towards his truck and then quickly turn around and retreat up the trail.  Officer Reinhardt exited his patrol vehicle and observed the individual remove a bonefish from his cooler and attempt to throw it into the woods. When questioned, the individual admitted to knowing he was not allowed to keep the bonefish.  The individual was issued a misdemeanor citation for possession of bonefish and was also cited for tampering with evidence.
• Officer Landers and Officer Reinhardt worked alongside U.S. Coast Guard and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office Marine Deputies on the search and recovery of a deceased individual approximately 12 miles offshore of the St. Lucie inlet.  With the help of FWC aviation and local anglers, the individual was located and recovered.
• Officers Reinhardt and Koger were on a marked vessel in the Intracoastal Waterway Crossroads when they observed a vessel operating after sunset with improper navigational lights.  A vessel stop was initiated to address the violation.  While speaking with the operator, numerous indicators of impairment were detected.  After performing poorly on seated field sobriety tasks, the operator was placed under arrest for suspicion of boating under the influence (BUI) and transported to the Martin County Jail.  The operator was charged with boating while normal facilities were impaired.

Okeechobee County

• During the Spring Turkey Youth Hunt weekend, Officer Padgett surveyed an area suspected of baiting wild turkeys. Officer Padgett heard a gunshot and observed two wild turkeys being harvested. Officer Padgett conducted a resource inspection on an adult and a youth and found bait in the area where the turkeys had been harvested.  The adult subject was issued a citation for the take of wild turkeys on land which corn, wheat, grain, or any other food or substance has been deposited by other than normal agricultural practices.

St. Lucie County

• While on patrol late one evening, Officer Castle observed vehicle lights coming from a remote coastal area and observed people fishing.  Officer Castle inspected the subjects' cooler, which revealed several undersized fish, including sheepshead, snook and black drum.  A license check also revealed one subject did not have a saltwater fishing license.  Two subjects were cited for harvest of undersize fish.  Warnings were issued for improper method of take, and no fishing license. 
• Officer Castle was at a local boat ramp conducting safety equipment checks when she observed an individual coming to the ramp and having a difficult time getting the vessel docked.  She also observed the subject retrieving his trailer and driving where pedestrians normally occur.  She approached the subject to conduct a safety check and detected signs of alcohol use.  Standard Field Sobriety Tasks were conducted, which the subject failed.  The subject was booked in jail, without incident, for boating under the influence.     

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Okeechobee County

• Lieutenant Davis, Officer Specialist Crosby, Officer Padgett, and Officer Specialist Allen attended two days of the Okeechobee Battle reenactment at the Okeechobee Battlefield State Park. They assisted park staff with traffic control and ensured the safety and security of several hundred attendees including Okeechobee County 4th graders.

St. Lucie County

• The Fort Pierce Yacht Club Foundation hosted the Chart Your Course Marine and Maritime Career Day Expo. Officers Miano and Irwin attended the event, which brought 100 public school students in grades 8 to 11 to experience and learn about boating and marine industry careers. Officer Miano and Irwin brought a Brunswick 850 Impact patrol vessel for show and tell. Students rotated through vendors/presenters from 10 a.m. to noon and had opportunities to learn about the FWC and how to get involved through volunteering, internships, youth programs, and careers. As Officers Miano and Irwin interacted with students, answering questions and providing information. 

CASES

Monroe County

• Officer Salazar and Officer Carroll were on water patrol in Marathon and conducted a stop on a charter fishing vessel. During the resource inspection, Officer Carroll found 12 undersized yellowtail snapper in their cooler. The captain and first mate were issued a notice to appear in court for the violations.