FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Reports for April 14-20

April 14 through April 20, 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.

View this as a web page.

View previous editions.

CASES

Escambia County

• Officer Allgood was on patrol at a boat ramp and observed a vessel displaying dive gear. He conducted a resource inspection and discovered an undersized gray triggerfish. One of the individuals on the boat took responsibility for the undersized fish. Officer Allgood issued a resource citation for possessing an undersized gray triggerfish.
• While on patrol at a boat ramp, Officer Allgood observed a vessel with fishing rods and conducted a resource inspection. During the inspection, he located an undersized scamp. Officer Allgood issued the appropriate citation for the illegal fish.
• Officer Allgood was conducting resource inspections at the Pensacola Pass when he observed a vessel returning from fishing. He conducted a resource inspection on the vessel and determined several fish were undersized. He issued citations for undersized gray triggerfish and undersized Spanish mackerel.

Franklin County

• Officer Hartzog was patrolling Apalachicola Bay and conducted a resource inspection on two recreational anglers. During the inspection, the individuals were observed to be in possession of an undersized red drum, black drum, and sheepshead. Appropriate citations were issued.
• Officer Hartzog was patrolling Apalachicola Bay and conducted a resource and boating safety inspection on two recreational anglers. During the inspection, the individuals were observed to be in possession of excess of their daily bag limit of red drum and an undersized flounder. Appropriate citations were issued.

Gulf County

• Senior Officer M. Webb was conducting marine fisheries inspections at the Mexico Beach Canal when he stopped a recreational fishing vessel returning from the Gulf. Upon inspection, Officer Webb discovered the captain of the vessel had in his possession an undersized red snapper. Officer Webb cited the captain with possession of red snapper during closed season and warned him the fish was undersized.

Holmes County

• Officers Fowler and Touchton located a subject hunting wild turkey approximately 40 yards from a bait site the officers had located before turkey season. The subject was cited appropriately.

Jackson County

• Officers Fowler and Touchton received information about a subject killing over the bag limit of wild turkeys. A short interview and investigation resulted in a full confession of the suspect killing three wild turkeys during the spring season (the season and possession limit for spring turkey season is two). He was cited appropriately.

Santa Rosa County

• Officer Allgood was traveling I-10 in Santa Rosa County when he observed a truck towing a trailer loaded with used tires. Officer Allgood did not see a permit attached to the vehicle or trailer and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was unable to provide a valid permit to haul used tires. Officer Allgood issued the driver a notice to appear.

Wakulla County

• Officer M. Fernbach was on patrol in Oyster Bay and observed a vessel with three individuals fishing. He conducted a resource and boating inspection and found the captain to be in possession of four redfish. The captain was issued a misdemeanor citation for over the bag limit of redfish.
• Officer D. Travis was patrolling off Shadeville Highway and heard a subject using an artificial turkey caller. The officer identified himself as he approached the subject, who was dressed in camouflage and in possession of a shotgun. Officer Travis could see the subject had placed bait 20 yards from the location he had been hunting. The subject was issued a misdemeanor citation for hunting turkey over bait within 100 yards.
• Officer M. Fernbach and S. Gray were on patrol in Oyster Bay. While approaching a vessel with three individuals fishing, a subject threw a redfish into the water from the port side of the vessel. A resource and boating inspection were initiated. The subject admitted to throwing the undersized redfish into the water as well as catching the fish earlier. The subject was issued a misdemeanor citation for possession of the undersized redfish.

Walton County

• Lieutenant Hollinhead and Officer Graves conducted a resource and boating inspection on a subject who denied having any fish on board. The subject later admitted to the officers he had an undersized spotted sea trout in his livewell and that he was aware of the size and bag limit for spotted sea trout. The subject was cited for the violation.  

Washington County

• Officer Rockwell conducted a boating and resource inspection on two subjects who were freshwater fishing. They did not have fishing licenses, had several boating violations, and were over the daily bag limit of bass. The daily limit is one black bass over 16 inches per person and the subject was in possession of four bass over 16 inches. They were cited appropriately.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Santa Rosa County

• Officer Land participated in a public outreach event for Gulf Breeze Middle School. He spoke to over 125 middle school students at Shoreline Park with his patrol vessel about conservation and role and responsibilities of FWC officers. Students learned how wildlife is managed for sustainability and the importance of maintaining Florida’s diverse ecosystem. Students also learned basic boat nomenclature and safety regulations. Officer Land answered dozens of questions from students about how to become an FWC officer and common violations encountered in the field.

RESCUE

Gulf County

• FWC officers in coordination with Gulf County Sheriff’s Office, St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, and Southern Gulf County Fire and Rescue searched for an elderly, diabetic woman who went missing from Cape San Blas. FWC Officers searched by vessel, vehicle, and ATV while maintaining close communication with family members and all search parties. The elderly woman was found the next day disoriented, sunburnt, fatigued, and with low blood sugar. She was reunited with family at St. Joe State Park and treated by Gulf County EMS before being transported to the hospital for further treatment.

Wakulla County

• Officer M. Fernbach, S. Gray and Lieutenant S. Olson responded to a search and rescue in Wakulla Springs State Park. Three adults with a baby were lost on a trail. The subjects were not in distress but were lost and without water. A park ranger and Officer Fernbach located the group and Lieutenant Olson ensured they did not require medical attention.

CASES

Citrus County

• Officer Pietroburgo concluded an investigation regarding a subject who had taken an antlered deer not meeting antler point regulations and falsified a harvest report to conceal the truth. During the investigation, the subject was untruthful about where he hunted, the size of the antlered deer taken, and where he discarded the carcass, head and antlers. In addition, the subject tried to prevent officers from discovering evidence. Through Officer Pietroburgo’s thorough investigation, evidence was discovered that revealed the truth. Charges in this case include taking a deer not meeting the antler point regulations, interference/obstruction of an FWC officer, giving a false statement in writing, tampering with evidence, and perjury.
• Senior Officer Suttles and Officer Brown were on patrol in federal waters off Citrus County when they observed a vessel with people on board who were fishing. Officers approached the vessel and conducted a fisheries inspection. During the stop, it was found the vessel was in possession of out-of-season gag grouper. Senior Officer Suttles issued the captain a federal citation for the violation. Officer Brown issued multiple warnings regarding vessel safety violations. The case will be turned over to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for further prosecution.

Dixie County

• Officers Robson and Troiano were on water patrol when they stopped a vessel returning from offshare to conduct a fisheries inspection. During the inspection, the officers found the subjects in possession of undersized triggerfish, undersized yellowtail snapper, undersized vermillion snapper, undersized red grouper, and red snapper during the closed season, and failure to land regulated fish in whole condition. The subjects were cited for all violations.

Nassau County

• Senior Officer Tucker was conducting vessel and fisheries inspections at a local boat ramp when he observed two vessels pulling into the boat ramp. He conducted inspections on the two vessels and identified the vessels had been fishing in federal waters and were in possession of multiple legal species of fish as well as red porgy and red snapper, both of which were out of season. While attempting to conduct the inspection, one vessel attempted to leave the area and Senior Officer Tucker was able to bring them back to the boat ramp. Each vessel and occupants were issued federal citations for species out of season and interference with an investigation.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Alachua County

• Officers Drew, Stanley and North Central Recruiter Officer Mobley participated at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine open house. A tent was set up with displays and an airboat was showcased. Several hundred people were in attendance. The officers answered questions from the public about their job.

MAJOR WILDLIFE ASSISTANCE

Dixie County

• Lieutenant Ward and Officer Robson were dispatched to a sea turtle in distress. The officers were able to rescue the sea turtle and promptly turn it over to a biologist for rehabilitation.

CASES

St. Johns County

• Officer Specialists Thomas and Lawrence along with Officer Self were on federal fisheries patrol when they encountered a vessel fishing offshore of St. Augustine. During a resource inspection, the officers located three undersized vermillion snapper, one undersized triggerfish, and possession of red snapper in federal waters. The operator was subsequently cited for the violations.
• Officers Chamberlain and Self responded to a single vessel accident in which the operator had fallen out of the vessel while it was underway. While interviewing the operator, the officers observed signs of impairment. Based on their investigation, the operator was arrested and booked into the St. Johns County Jail for boating under the influence.
• Officer Specialist Christmas was on patrol at a local boat ramp after sunset when he observed a vessel approaching without navigation lights displayed. As he approached, he observed they also had fishing rods on board. During his inspection, he found the two subjects on board had harvested 24 sheepshead. The daily bag limit for sheepshead is eight per angler. The vessel operator was cited for harvesting over the bag limit of sheepshead and operating after sunset without navigation lights displayed.

Brevard County

• Lieutenant Riley and Officer Navarino conducted resource inspections on two separate groups of cast netters on Salt Lake. After conducting resource inspections, they found both groups of individuals to be in possession of freshwater gamefish taken by illegal method (cast net). The individuals were cited accordingly.

Orange County

• Officers Navarino and Fahnestock were on patrol when they observed numerous groups of individuals cast netting on the St. Johns River. The officers conducted a resource inspection on the first group of eight people. The individuals were in possession of 400 freshwater mussels (daily limit of 10 per person) and tilapia. None of the individuals possessed a valid freshwater fishing license. The individuals were cited accordingly. The officers then conducted a resource inspection on a second group of four individuals. The officers found numerous gamefish taken by illegal method (cast net) in a black trash bag. The individuals were cited accordingly.
• Officer Specialist S. Summers and Officer Navarino were patrolling Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area when they stopped a vehicle to check their day use permit. Upon speaking to the individual, the officers were informed they were returning from cast netting on the St. Johns River. After conducting a resource inspection, the officers located numerous freshwater gamefish in plastic bags that were taken by an illegal method (cast net). The operator of the vehicle admitted to catching and keeping the freshwater gamefish with a cast net. The individual was cited accordingly.

Osceola County

• Officer Nall was patrolling state/county owned land for wild turkey hunting violations when he observed two vehicles on a public roadway making their way toward his position. The vehicles began to quickly accelerate speed and race each other. One of the vehicles pulled into the oncoming traffic lane. Due to the high rate of speed, one of the vehicle’s hoods became detached and smashed the vehicle’s windshield and sunroof. The operator of the vehicle lost control momentarily, crashing head-on with another civilian’s vehicle that was not involved. Both operators of the vehicles that were racing pulled off to the side of the road to access damages. Officer Nall contacted them and issued notice to appear citations.

Volusia County

• Officer Quick conducted a saltwater fisheries inspection on a subject who was recreationally fishing from a pier on the Intracoastal Waterway. During the inspection, the subject was found to be in possession of a goliath grouper and several undersized sheepshead, mangrove snapper, and lane snapper. The subject was uncooperative and interfered with Officer Quick’s investigation by providing a false name. Officer Quick was able to confirm the subject’s identity and the subject was charged appropriately.

Sumter County

• Senior Officer Phillips was on patrol along the border of Green Swamp West Wildlife Management Area when he observed an unoccupied vehicle with a camouflage shotgun case in plain view in the back seat. Officer Phillips concealed his patrol truck and contacted Southwest Region FWC K-9 Officer Livingston and Officer Wilkins to assist. While waiting on K-9, Officer Phillips observed two subjects exit Green Swamp West WMA and walk towards the vehicle. The officer contacted the two subjects, and they admitted to scouting and hunting. After a field interview, the two admitted to hiding their guns in the woods. Officer Phillips retrieved the shotguns with the two subjects. K-9 Officer Livingston and Officer Wilkins arrived and conducted an area search for any illegal game that might have been taken. No illegal game was located. Green Swamp West WMA is a special-opportunity hunt area, and individuals are required to check in/out at the check station. Neither subject had the proper special-opportunity permit. Both subjects were cited appropriately.

RESCUE

Brevard County Officer Specialist Marroquin, Senior Officer Platt, and Officer Mock were working the Cocoa Beach Air Show in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard when they were contacted by the USCG Command Post and tasked with a search and rescue. The officers responded to a 50-foot sailing vessel taking on water 40 miles southeast of Port Canaveral. When they arrived on scene, the vessel was minutes away from sinking with two Dutch nationals on board. Officers Platt and Mock boarded the vessel to assess the situation and found 6-7 feet of water in the vessel. A USCG helicopter from USCG Air Station Clearwater arrived on scene and a decision was made to conduct an underway hoist operation to receive a dewatering pump. Officers Platt and Mock used the pump to dewater the vessel and continued to monitor the water level until USCG vessels arrived on scene and towed the vessel to Port Canaveral. Officer Specialist Marroquin, Senior Officer Platt, and Officer Mock were attempting to return to Sebastian from Port Canaveral after refueling their vessel when they received a call from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office about a subject struck by lightning aboard a vessel. The officers responded to the scene, navigating in severe weather with heavy rain, strong winds, low visibility, and lightning to find the vessel. Once on scene they recovered the two victims and took them to awaiting EMS where one subject was pronounced deceased. COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING Brevard County Lieutenant Eller, Senior Officer Platt and Officer Hopkins participated in career day at Melbourne High School. They displayed an agency patrol vehicle, airboat and showcased an American alligator. The officers interacted with over 100 students and spoke with them about careers with FWC as well as what they can do to get involved in the outdoors and be stewards for conservation. Indian River County Officers conducted a fishing clinic for Fellsmere Elementary School 4th grade students. This event focused on familiarizing the youth with the FWC’s mission, basics of being responsible stewards of the resource and catching fish! The 22 students at the clinic received a fishing rod, regulations information and a goody bag.

Orange County

• Lieutenant Riley taught hunter education to 17 students. The class covered laws and regulations related to hunting in Florida as well as other FWC topics. 

CASES

Hillsborough County

• While on patrol with Investigator Martinez and Investigator Gomez, Officer Specialist Rorer observed a small bird cage containing a federally protected painted bunting in front of a residence. Officer Specialist Rorer along with the Investigators contacted the homeowner to address the migratory bird violation. She observed a bird trap located in a tree that had bird seed attached to a trap door and located six more painted buntings in a bird cage alongside the residence. The homeowner admitted the trap and birds belonged to them and believed they were canaries. Officer Specialist Rorer issued the individual a total of nine citations for the migratory bird treaty act violations.
• While on patrol, Officer Hoppe, Officer Georgevich and Officer Specialist Rorer observed a bird trap hanging alongside a residence. The officers contacted the homeowner to determine if the individual had a permit for the trap. The homeowner advised they did not have a permit for the trap and gave permission for the officers to enter the residence to inspect the trap. Inside the residence, the officers located one cardinal, two painted buntings, two indigo buntings along with two more bird traps. Officers also located multiple recorders playing bird calls. Officer Hoppe issued the homeowner multiple citations for violations of the migratory bird treaty act. 
• While patrolling during turkey hunting season, Officer Specialist Rorer located a field baited with whole corn. She monitored the area early the next morning and observed two individuals set up in a hunting blind and begin calling for wild turkeys. Officer Specialist Rorer contacted the individuals and conducted a hunting inspection. At the conclusion of the inspection, Officer Specialist Rorer found the individuals were hunting within 100 yards of bait. Officer Specialist Rorer issued both individuals a citation for hunting over bait.

Lee County

• Officer Hardgrove was conducting fisheries enforcement patrols when he identified a subject returning from fishing. When asked if he had caught any fish, the subject said he had caught a legal sized trout. Officer Hardgrove discovered the subject had already filleted the fish and put the fillets in a bag. The subject was issued a notice to appear for failing to land trout in whole condition. He also inspected two people who had caught and kept snook. After measuring the fish, Officer Hardgrove found one snook was legal size and the other was undersize. After running the subject for resource violations, he found the man with the undersize snook had multiple warnings and citations for resource violations in the past, including a felony charge. The man was issued a citation for the violation. 
• Officer Johnson was on patrol when he observed a vehicle in a local management area. The subject was in the management area after legal hours, so the officer made contact with the subject to see what he was doing. The man admitted he placed some corn on the ground and baited a spot, but said it was to watch wildlife. No firearms were located at the time and the man was issued an infraction and two written warnings.   

Manatee County

• While on patrol, Officer Wesche saw a vessel with multiple fishing rods returning to the Palmetto Boat Ramp. He conducted a resource inspection and discovered the captain of the vessel had 27 fillets onboard. Officer Wesche was able to identify some of the fillets as mackerel. The captain of the vessel was cited accordingly. 

Polk County

• Members of the Southwest Region dive team and several FWC Officers from Polk County and surrounding areas assisted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in locating two missing swimmers from Lake Eloise in Winter Haven. After several days of searching with different types of sonar technologies, the bodies of the missing swimmers were recovered from Lake Eloise.
• Officer Mitchell was on patrol when she located two subjects calling and attempting to .take wild turkey. Officer Mitchell conducted a resource inspection and discovered the subject was hunting wild turkey within a 100 yards of a feeder containing bait. The subject told Officer Mitchell it was their feeder and bait. The subjects were cited appropriately.
• Officer Fioramanti was on patrol when he received information about an illegally harvested wild turkey near the Prairie Tract of the Lake Wales State Forest. When Officer Fioramanti arrived in the area, he observed a subject standing near a side by side with a recently harvested wild turkey nearby. The subject agreed to show Officer Fioramanti where the turkey was harvested. It was determined the subject harvested the wild turkey from an area that was fenced and posted as closed to hunting. The subject gained access to the area by climbing over a fence. The subject was cited appropriately.
• Lieutenant Sean Karr was on patrol when he observed two vehicles parked on private property. When Lieutenant Karr approached on foot, he saw four subjects fishing with rods and reels on a private body of water near the vehicles. He contacted the subjects and conducted a resource inspection. One of the subjects was in possession of two largemouth bass over 16 inches in length. None of the subjects had permission to be on the property they were fishing. The subjects were cited accordingly.
• Reserve Officer Wilson was turkey hunting off duty when he encountered three subjects in Lake Marion Creek Wildlife Management Area who were wild hog dog hunting. Wild hog hunting is prohibited in Lake Marion Creek WMA, and they were hunting during a limited entry/quota hunt, which requires a quota permit. Officer Wilson approached the individuals to identify them and passed on the information to Officer Gadd, who was on duty. Officer Gadd met up with the subjects who admitted to catching a wild hog with their dogs in Lake Marion Creek WMA. The subjects were issued a notice to appear for the violation.
• Lieutenant Karr was on patrol when he saw a vehicle exit private property. The property the vehicle exited was phosphate mining property with several bodies of water. As Lieutenant Karr followed the vehicle from a distance, he saw the vehicle enter an adjacent property that is fenced and posted. Lieutenant Karr performed a traffic stop on the vehicle. The subjects in the vehicle were in possession of several cast nets, a large cooler, and two large buckets containing Nile perch (tilapia). The subjects stated they did not have permission to be on the property. Both subjects were cited accordingly.

CASES 

Broward County

• Officer Lopez was on water patrol near Port Everglades Inlet.  He observed a vessel inbound from offshore.  He stopped the vessel for violating the manatee zone in Port Everglades and conducted boating safety and marine fisheries inspections. Pursuant to the fisheries inspection, he issued one of the individuals onboard a notice to appear for possession of out of season and undersized red grouper. 
• Officer Sellers was on patrol near Sawgrass Recreational Park. She conducted a freshwater fisheries inspection on an individual fishing alongside the canal. Pursuant to the inspection, she issued the individual a notice to appear for possession of over the bag limit of peacock bass. 

Okeechobee County

• While patrolling the Kissimmee River Public Use Area, Officer Allen observed two subjects who appeared to be hunting in the Paradise Run Unit.  At the time, there were no seasons open in the area and when the subjects were questioned, they stated they were hunting wild hogs. They also had been hunting with a centerfire rifle, which is prohibited in the PUA. They received notices to appear in court for attempting to take wild hog during closed season and warnings for hunting with a centerfire rifle in the area.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Palm Beach County

• Officer Peters and Officer Defeo conducted an outreach presentation for the U.S. Coast Guard boating safety class, which consisted of different age groups and boating skill levels. The officers' presentation included videos, photos and information about boating safety and fishing regulations. They also brought informational pamphlets for students to keep for future reference. The officers also discussed lobster regulations and brought a lobster gauge to show how to properly measure one. The students were engaged and asked many questions regarding fishing regulations. They also asked numerous questions regarding slow speed zones and common boating safety questions.

MAJOR WILDLIFE ASSISTANCE

Broward County

• Officer Constance was dispatched to the City of Oakland Park regarding an injured bird. Upon arrival, he observed a juvenile bald eagle behind some bushes. He approached the bird and coaxed it into a large cage. Personnel from the Wildlife Care Center arrived to bring the eagle to their rehabilitation center.

RESCUE

Broward County

• During the course of three days, over 40 FWC officers from around south Florida responded to severe flooding in the Fort Lauderdale area caused by 27 inches of rain. At the request of the City of Fort Lauderdale, FWC officers responded with numerous high-water vehicles and assisted with over 600 water-related rescues in flooded neighborhoods.

CASES

• Officers Janzen and Carroll were on state water patrol in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. They stopped a vessel seen trolling in Molasses SPA. Upon inspection, the three individuals from Miami were found to be in possession of 26 dolphinfish filets and one undersized mutton snapper. Officer Carroll issued the individuals a notice to appear in court for the violations.
• Officers Larios and Carroll were on state water patrol near Tavernier Key. They stopped a vessel coming in from offshore with fishing/spearfishing gear on board. Upon inspection, Officer Larios found four undersized red grouper, one undersized black grouper, two undersized hogfish, one oversized parrotfish, and two undersized mutton snapper. Two of the individuals onboard admitted to harvesting the fish. Officer Larios issued the individuals a notice to appear in court for the violations.
• Officer Larios and Carroll responded to a call about individuals keeping undersized fish at Whale Harbor Bridge. The officers arrived on scene and saw two individuals fishing. Upon inspection, the officers found several legal mangrove snapper in the five-gallon buckets provided. From the back of the vehicle, Officer Carroll saw a blanket on top of something shaped like a cooler. The owner of the vehicle stated there was a cooler under the blanket and pulled it out of the vehicle for the officers to inspect. Inside the cooler was an approximately 28-inch goliath grouper. Officer Carroll issued the individual a notice to appear in court for the possession of the prohibited species.